earnest; sincere; pressing; urgent; pertinent; appropriate
close (relationship, connection, etc.); intimate; near; being in close proximity; being adjacent
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
martial arts; military arts; wushu (Chinese martial art)
to be covertly swapped; to be replaced (e.g. with a counterfeit)
to exert oneself; to make efforts
one's own handwriting; autograph
to become tense; to become serious; to become sober; sobering; bracing
to go past (a place or thing); to go beyond
selection (from many people for an important position); exceptional promotion
extremely; in the extreme; knows no bounds (e.g. rudeness); boundless (e.g. universe, ocean); limitless
promotion; advancement; rising in rank
merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
match; game; bout; contest
to win and advance to the next round
to concede one is entirely in the wrong (for the sake of argument)
private; foot soldier; infantryman; underling; low level worker; minor player
formal; courteous; ritual; ritualistic
mikoshi; portable Shinto shrine carried through the streets during festivals; lower back; waist; hips
(at) a glance; (judging from) appearances
even if; even though; wow
to give off sparks; to spark; to have a heated argument; to fight fiercely
to run along; to run beside; to follow (a policy, plan, etc.); to act in accordance with; to meet (wishes, expectations, etc.); to satisfy
four (long cylindrical things)
troublesome; bothersome; tiresome; annoying
quick-wittedness; having tact; being sensible
eight (long cylindrical things)
scattered; disperse; loose; disconnected; in pieces; in drops
arrow length; bundle of arrows
separate; respective; different
weapons; arms; fighting with swords; sword fight
feeling of dread; awful feeling; sense of fear
full of openings; half empty; (cutting) sharply; cleanly; (arch.) (progressing) smoothly
practising martial arts; training in martial arts
serious accident; major incident
to create (a sensation); to cause (a commotion); to give rise to (controversy); to raise (a cloud of dust); to kick up (dust)