beginning of summer; fourth month of the lunar calendar
University Entrance Qualification Examination (establishes the equivalent of high-school graduation prior to 2005)
trying out a pen; test-writing
winning wrestler who remains ringside in case his involvement is needed in pre-bout rituals
everyday necessities; daily necessities
it's no big deal; it's no problem; it's nothing to worry about; safe (and sound); all right
the imperial family or household
amusement center (centre); game arcade; gambling hall
to cook (something) with rice
to be appointed to a post; to assume office
these guys; these fellows
rice-based or centered diet (centred)
sitting on the floor grasping one's knees (as in a gym class)
there; over there; that place; that far; that much; that point
to add to the staff; to increase the staff
not one to talk; who are you to say; look who's talking
with a thud; with a flop; with a plop; suddenly (stop, come to an end, etc.)
the Big Three (countries)
imperial influence; assimilation of new territory
advancing money; temporary payment for someone else; payment on behalf of another party, with the expectation of being reimbursed later
trailer towed by bicycle, etc.
no matter how much time passes
white; striped mullet fry (Mugil cephalus); speech; one's lines; white dragon tile; winning hand with a pung (or kong) of white dragon tiles; (arch.) white person
to pay one's bill; to settle one's account
walleye pollack (Theragra chalcogramma); Alaska pollack; walleye pollack roe (generally served salted and spiced with red pepper)
intolerable; unbearable; tremendous; out of this world; cannot help (doing); cannot but do
red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)
to grow older; to advance in age; to be very aged
terraced fields; terraced farm
vice-minister (Meiji period); undersecretary