shaku (unit of distance approximately equal to 30.3 cm); rule; measure; length
sun (approx. 3 cm); length; measurement; shortness; tininess
triple; treble; threefold; three-ply; triplicate
Wu Hu (five tribes that migrated into China in 300-500 CE: Xiongnu, Jie, Xianbei, Di, Qiang)
core; tang (of a sword, etc.); middle of a nest of boxes
green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor); Japanese green pheasant
technical term; terminology; jargon
trying out a new sword or blade (originally on someone, but now on soaked straw targets)
scornful laughter; ridicule; derision; sneer
to trip someone up; to pull the carpet from under
unwanted interaction; being a nuisance (to someone); being an annoyance; pestering someone
somehow; in some way; for some reason; faintly; vaguely
juniors dominating seniors; inferiors overthrowing their superiors; retainer supplanting his lord
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
natural posture (esp. in judo); natural stance; natural attitude; relaxed manner; calm manner
dango eaten during cherry blossom viewing (esp. pink, white, and green)
to take (someone) by surprise; to do something unexpected
disturbance; confusion; perturbation; commotion; turbulence
first move (in shogi, go, etc.); beginning; start
high rating; good reputation
greatly energetic; ferocious; extreme; severe
rush (of people or activity); rush (sudden forward motion); rush hour; rushes; dailies
minimum; lowest; minimal; at a minimum
time to pay the piper; (lit.) time to pay the land tax (in kind)
win; victory; beautiful scenery; scenic spot; counter for wins
to pick up; to pick out (e.g. key points in an article); to single out; to point out
to let (someone) have the credit (for); (lit.) to let (someone) hold the flowers
long-awaited; much-awaited
bizarre plan; perplexing strategy; outlandish scheme
damn it!; dang it!; darn it!; bring it on!
to creep up; to crawl up; to overcome (a bad situation); to rise (after a setback)
(dragging a large or heavy item) slowly; (falling) little by little; (slipping) gradually; on and on; while putting off; with a slurp
to sniff out; to get wind of
light cotton summer clothing consisting of knee-length shorts and short-sleeved jacket
if you are prepared you don't have to worry; it's good to have a shelter against every storm
to make good use of; to use to one's advantage
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
rehabilitation (in society)
inconsiderate; unkind; cruel; thoughtless; unthinking; mindless