merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
highly virtuous monk; monk; Buddhist solitary; Buddhist missionary; saint (i.e. a virtuous person); (arch.) emperor; master
exposure to wind; severe criticism
to shun; to avoid; to ostracize; to neglect; to distance oneself from; to give the hard shoulder
blood and iron; military might
unique; distinctive; novel; different color (colour)
military exploits; military feats; military achievements; distinguished military service
to get damp; to get moist; to get soggy; to become humid
advertising the excellence of one's wares; boasting; self-advertisement; statement of the virtues of a medicine; description of the virtues of a drug
existing alongside (each other); mixture; intermingling
cutting to pieces; tearing to pieces
fatsi (Fatsia japonica); paperplant; Japanese aralia
one's body alone; having nothing except one's body; just oneself (with no belongings)
to pound (e.g. heart); to pulse (e.g. vein); to pulsate
ji (ancient Chinese halberd)
hook (fishing, golf, boxing, etc.)
cut; cutting; haircut; shuffle (cards); shuffling; scene
child rearing; child raising; raising children; parenting
to stay on; to remain; to hold out; to stop (doing); to give up
to fight; to exchange blows
stagnation; deposit; sediment; faltering; hesitation; pause
lateness; tardiness; arriving late
to be frank with you; to tell you the truth; I'm going to lay my cards on the table
fish simmered with soy sauce (and sugar)
main; principal; main dish; main course; main part; principal part
firm-sided backpack made of leather, etc. (used by Japanese elementary schoolchildren, often red for girls and black for boys)
news coverage; collecting data (e.g. for an article); covering (something for media); interview
soft; fragile; weak; poorly built; insubstantial
of late; lately; this part; this point; here
well-known; noted; celebrated
to go through; to suffer; to experience (something unpleasant)
having special circumstances (e.g. problems, issues, advantages, flaws, defects, etc.); imperfect (merchandise); with defects
eldest daughter; first-born daughter
university student; college student