improvement (to a piece of writing or painting); revision; correction; touching up
to fight; to exchange blows; to rally
Imperial Guard (Meiji); personal guard
round shape; circle; circular form
to harden earth into a mass
tiered doll stand (for hina dolls); tiered platform; tiered gallery
seat; seats; stands; grandstand; bleachers
to get dark; to grow dark; to end (of a day, year, season, etc.); to come to an end; to be sunk in (e.g. despair); to be lost in (e.g. thought)
time; hour; season; time of the year
four; four years of age; ten o'clock (old time system); Burakumin; cross grips
several people; some people; a few people; a number of people
uniform; equal; even; common; ordinary; usual
two classes; double; two sets
longish; moderately long; somewhat long; fairly long
to swing downward; to bring down (one's sword, fist, etc.)
sword (esp. Japanese single-edged); katana; scalpel; chisel; burin; knife money (knife-shaped commodity money used in ancient China)
spectator; sightseer; onlooker
posture; pose; position; attitude; approach; stance
robust; brawny; muscular; strong; sturdy
military personnel; soldier
grizzled; (hair) streaked with grey (gray)
to make (the best) use of; to put to good use; to let live; to keep alive; to revive; to resuscitate
to flash (e.g. lightning); to flicker; to flutter (e.g. flag); to wave; to flash into one's mind (e.g. an idea); to come to one suddenly
experienced; veteran; skilled; expert
coming out; going out; attending (work); appearing (on stage); start; beginning; origins
one's younger days; when one was young
war; battle; campaign; (arch.) troops; (arch.) forces
to go to the top; to climb to the top; to ascend to the top; to be engrossed in; to be very enthusiastic about; to be infatuated with
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
neighboring countries; surrounding countries
skirmish; brush (with the enemy); small fight with a military enemy; squabble; quarrel; brief argument
all kinds of things; various things; large number of people
job title; name of one's position
to step back; to move back; to withdraw (from the presence of a superior); to leave; to resign; to retire
one's junior; younger generation; next generation; moving backwards; backing up; reversing
rearing; training; nurture; cultivation; promotion
to concentrate one's effort (on something)
ordinary clothes; everyday attire; plain clothes; civilian clothes
young man; young woman; young people; youth; youngsters
(for) self-defense; (for) self-protection
short sword; dagger; stiletto; hour hand (of a clock)
commander; general; leader
to dodge; to evade; to avoid; to sidestep
ability; competency; talent; skill; capacity
to cut deep into; to cut one's way into (an enemy position); to rush on; to press someone hard (e.g. with questions); to get to the heart of (a matter)
fighting a good fight; putting up a good fight; fighting bravely