Urashima Tarō; (a) Rip van Winkle; fairy-tale fisherman who, after visiting the underwater Palace of the Dragon King, returns centuries later
younger princess; Oto Hime; Princess of the Dragon Palace (from the story of Urashima Tarō)
sea bream (Sparidae); porgy; tai (species of reddish-brown Pacific sea bream, Pagrus major)
flounder (esp. the large-tooth flounders of family Paralichthyidae, but also lefteye flounders of family Bothidae); bastard halibut; olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)
the Pied Piper of Hamelin
sexagenary cycle (60-year cycle of 12 animal zodiac and 5 elements in the traditional Chinese calendar); 12-year Chinese zodiac
to grab; to clutch; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); towards (someone); at (someone)
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; mysterious; meaningless
false nose; artificial nose
emotional strength; force of will
to shave (wood, leather, etc.); to sharpen (e.g. pencil); to cut down (budget, expenses, staff, time, etc.); to curtail; to delete; to erase
Arima Ouji (imperial prince)
desperate situation with no escape; being driven into a corner; being cornered; last extremity
(mental) agony; anguish; suffering; distress
to take seriously; to take someone at their word; to believe (to be true)
the Dragon (fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Dragon (around 8am, 7-9am, or 8-10am); east-southeast; third month of the lunar calendar
the Snake (sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Serpent; hour of the Snake (around 10am, 9-11am, or 10am-12 noon); south-southeast; fourth month of the lunar calendar
ship; boat; tank; tub; counter for boat-shaped containers (e.g. of sashimi)
patterns of thinking; train of thought
to be a bad influence (on something); to corrupt; to poison
hot spring; onsen; hot spring resort; hot spring spa
egg slow-boiled so that the yolk is hard but the white is still soft (traditionally cooked in a hot spring)
curse; divine punishment; wrath (of an angry spirit)
surname; family name; last name
Sri-mahadevi (consort of Vaishravana)
to rule; to govern; to administer
to be remembered; to go down in history
steady; sound; solid; reliable; trustworthy
cause for concern; reasons for uneasiness
to live; to exist; to make a living; to subsist; to be in effect; to be in use
detached house; single house; single building; isolated house; house in isolated location
community-based; local-based