celebration; congratulations
turning point; critical juncture; knot (in a tree, etc.)
(Confucian) temple; church; sanctuary
to try and do something; to attempt to do something
internal conditions; true state of affairs
dissatisfied-looking; looking discontented
surrender; submission; capitulation; being defeated (e.g. by a problem); giving up; giving in
solemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.); austere; grave; majestic; dignified; stately
sake cup; cup for alcoholic beverages; counter for cupfuls, bowlfuls, spoonfuls, etc.; counter for boats; counter for octopuses and squid; cup (in sports)
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
continuation; continuance; going on; resuming
brilliance; polish; lustre; luster; glossy finish (of photographs)
custom; convention; tradition; mores; conventional practice
from the beginning; from scratch
princess; Her Royal Highness
lifeboat; friend in need; helping hand; timely help
to resign; to retire; to quit; to leave (one's job, etc.)
natural; reasonable; understandable
marriageable age; chance of marriage
almost not able (to do something)
the way there; outbound leg; bound for ...; outbound ticket
to delay; to postpone; to put off; to slow down; to hold up; to retard
a long way off; matter for the future; not going to happen anytime soon
about to start out; just about to leave or go out; outing; trip
different school (e.g. of ikebana)
(arch.) sitting outdoors; room that served both as a reception room and as a living room in a Heian-period mansion; temporary sitting place installed in the garden at the imperial court, used on the occasion of archery or sumo ceremonies
unwillingly; grudgingly; shaking head in refusal (like a child); no!; no no!
skip it; drop it; I've had enough (e.g. when offered something); that's enough
commencing with; including
from beginning to end; from start to finish; from first to last; end-to-end; all the way through
thoroughly; through and through
talk (esp. by a talk-show host, or by a stage musician to the audience between songs); banter; talk show; toque
hair style; coiffure; hairdo
shadow or cloud (e.g. on someone's happiness); shade; gloom
to highlight something; to bring something to the forefront