siblings; brothers and sisters
sunny spot; exposure to the sun
to try to (do); to want to; to be about to (do, happen)
fixed paper-enclosed lantern; paper-covered wooden stand housing an (oil) lamp
to be sacked; to be dismissed
Japan; the (Japanese) empire
cold-hearted; callous; unfeeling; insentient (objects); insensate; inanimate
emphasis; highlight; stress; stressed point
the lower classes; the common people
to get involved or entangled in; to get mixed up in; to have something to do with; to have dealings with
be inextricably involved; be in a sticky situation
escape from reality; escapism; ostrichism
celebrated personage; big-wig; person in a high position
dull (e.g. a knife); blunt; thickheaded; obtuse; dull (sound, color, etc.); dim (light)
having a headache; racking one's brains; troubling over something
the number of people; many people; a large number of people; (counted as an) adult
to come together; to join; to get married; to become a married couple
purveyor (to the Imperial Household, etc.); company (or restaurant, place, etc.) that caters to or is popular with a specific clientele
dilettante; person of fantastic taste
other than; except for; aside from; apart from; save for
trouble; burden; nuisance; care; dependence; support
not necessarily; not entirely; not altogether
end; verge; extremity; miss; failure; blank (e.g. lottery ticket)
in spite of; regardless of
although I say; although one might say; although called
to ascend; to go up; to ascend (as a natural process, e.g. the Sun); to rise; to go to (the capital); to be promoted; to add up to
straw futon; straw mattress; palliasse
what; so-and-so; such and such; what?; wait; well, well
to go to; to proceed to; to leave for
-less; lacking; non-existing
a wise man keeps away from danger
party (gathering, celebration, etc.); party (group, political, etc.)
(political) power; authority; influence
to flatter; to play up to; to fawn on; to pander to; to cater to
contrived; false-sounding
fresh; refreshing; invigorating; clear (e.g. voice); fluent; eloquent
feel; touch; impression (of a person); most impressive passage; highlight; beginning
so; like that; that's right; indeed; let me see...