ball; ball (pitch that falls outside of the strike zone); bowl; board (cardboard, pasteboard, etc.)
udon cooked in a broth containing miso paste
handmade; homegrown; hand-crafted; homemade
udon; thick Japanese wheat noodles
wintry sky; cold weather (in winter); wintry weather
taste; palate; sense of taste
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to investigate thoroughly; to master
(in a) long time; long time (ago); while (ago); long ago; long while (ago); (in a) long while
trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
(one's) life is not in danger; not life-threatening
to hold down; to twist someone's arm; to force (someone) to yield (e.g. an argument); to make (someone) surrender
piece(s) of firewood (esp. chopped or split from logs); kindling (twigs, branches, etc.); firewood
succession; continuation; series; sequence
special someone; special person; precious one; significant other
to turn upside down; to turn (face) downward
recognition; acquaintance
shadow; shade; shading; nuance; shades of meaning; subtleties
unnecessary; not needed; not necessary
place; spot; field; discipline; occasion; situation; scene (of a play, movie, etc.)
to joke; to jest; to make fun of; to laugh at; to romp; to gambol
to be in focus; to come into focus
torrent; rapid stream; violently rushing stream
lifesaver; person who saved one's life
emotional attachment; attitude (expressing emotion); meditative pose (e.g. an actor); posing for effect
definite; final; decisive; conclusive
to stand in (someone's) place; to be in a (certain) position
to punish; to penalize; to penalise
excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; thank you
equality; equal; same rights; same rank; equivalence
gloomy; melancholy; dreary; depressed; dismal
bell (often a large hanging bell); chime
schoolyard; playground; school grounds; campus
very; extremely; extreme; excessive; splendid; impressive
dwelling; house; residence; den; habitat
to hold something reverently with both hands
killing a would-be avenger; having the tables turned on someone (e.g. by a challenger); being beaten at one's own game
interview; audience; meeting; (viewing) party
suspension; stoppage; discontinuance; interruption