hardening; fortifying; pledge; vow; defense; defence
cooking, esp. frying or stir-frying; heating; tempering; -ware
another helping; second helping; seconds; command to have dog place its second paw in one's hand
nothing special; no big deal; doesn't matter; nothing to worry about
fifth day of the month; five days
prison; jail; gaol; firm; solid; strong
nirvana; supreme enlightenment; death; death of Buddha
welcome!; nice to see you!
final destination; last stop; end; conclusion; goal
tuft of hair under temple; sideburns; sidelocks
monkey-like face (e.g. protruding ears); simian features
simile; metaphor; allegory; parable
newcomer; initiate; rookie
way of asking; way of listening; listener
(Edo-period) head of a prisoners' group
zabuton (flat floor cushion used when sitting or kneeling; usu. rectangular)
hereabouts; around there; that area
to be crowded; to be packed; to be complex; to go into; to put into; to do intently
rough; careless; slovenly; slipshod; rude; impolite
to speak; to talk; to mediate; to act as a go-between; to put in a good word (for someone)
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
fraud; trickery; hoax; swindle; counterfeit; fake
rock-paper-scissors (game); janken
steel frame; steel beam; steel girder
crossing; passage; importing; import; wandering; wanderer; migration
(crime of) public indecency
yes; sure; gotcha; sycophantically; servilely; fawningly
commonplace; ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; mundane
wrong; different; not like that
Buddha; Shakyamuni; Buddhist image; figure of Buddha; the dead; dead person
very caring; kind; helpful; service-minded
spirit; sprite; energy; vigor (vigour); fine details; semen
little less than; slightly fewer than; just under; weakness; the weak
to challenge (esp. in a lawsuit); to take on an opponent (in negotiations, contest, etc.)
to lower one's voice; to speak with a hushed voice
munching; crunching; scratching (an itch)
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean