to sit at a desk (to study); to be at one's desk; to set to work on revision, homework, etc.
back (of a chair); backrest
to lean against; to lean on; to recline on; to lie heavy (on the stomach); to be uneasily digested
unfinished (letter, text, etc.); drafted (e.g. manuscript); half-written; partially finished
suddenly; abruptly; slowly; without haste; calmly
to crush (with one's hands); to kill a proposal; to shelve; to table (remove from consideration)
space; air; midair; (from) memory; (by) heart
to fire (gun, arrow, questions, etc.); to shoot; to set free; to release; to emit (e.g. light); to give off (e.g. a scent)
to throw; to hurl; to give up; to abandon; to cast (a glance, shadow, doubt, etc.)
fluttering; flapping; (arch.) flickering (light, flame, etc.); frill; piece of thin material
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
memory (of having seen something or someone before); remembrance; recollection; recognition
to be seized with fear; to be seized with panic
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
to that extent; to that degree; so much; so
to clear; to make clear; to be unruffled; to look unconcerned; to look demure; to look prim
honest; upright; cleanhanded; unselfish
to create (an atmosphere, feeling, etc.); to produce; to engender
slowly (but steadily); gradually; bit-by-bit; slowly soaking in; slowly permeating; oozing out
to be crowded; to be packed; to be complex
resentment; grudge; malice; matter for regret; regret
messy; confused; chaotic; in a nagging manner; (complaining) about various things
several weeks; a few weeks
apiece; each; at a time; piecemeal
clear; evident; obvious; white
unhurriedly; leisurely; slowly; relaxedly; taking one's time
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
chief vassal; senior statesman
decorations; offerings; mere window dressing
far away; far off; far; long ago; long before
by the way; incidentally; well; even if; no matter (what, where, how, etc.)
haughty; arrogant; insolent; proud; overbearing
monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity; hogging; keeping to oneself
drumming (noise); beating; rapidly; quickly; continuously; one after the other
whirlpool; swirl; eddy; vortex; maelstrom
(turning) round and round; in circles; wrapping around; winding around
to be mixed; to be blended with; to associate with; to mingle with; to join
tiny amount of money; a penny; one letter; one character; one mon (unit of currency)
to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to have sex with; to make love to; to sit on (eggs); to brood
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...