(in spite of) being old enough to know better
racing (of an engine); spinning one's wheels; running idle; fruitless effort; going nowhere; going round in circles
dial (on timepiece, meter, etc.); letter board (e.g. on typewriter, writing aide for the disabled, etc.); character board
to water (a plant, a flower etc.)
brow; forehead; prominent forehead; beetle brow; not catching anything (in fishing)
whorl of white hair on the forehead of the Buddha, represented by a white precious stone on statues of Buddha; urna
hairline; borders of the hair
single, long white (or translucent) body hair (said to bring good luck according to folklore)
the New Year begins; the New Year starts
first three days of the New Year (January 1-3)
working adult; full-fledged member of society
resuming work after the New Year's vacation; first time that one works in the year
pin (e.g. hairpin, bowling pin, golf pin, etc.); one (on dice, in cards, etc.); beginning; best; kickback
bodhisattva; one who has reached enlightenment but vows to save all beings before becoming a buddha; High Monk (title bestowed by the imperial court); title bestowed to Shinto kami in manifestation theory
troublesome matter; burden; difficult task; chore; hassle
jostling; milling about; crush; packed with (activities, products, etc.); teeming with; chock-full of
first shrine visit of New Year
prayer; grace (at meals); exorcism
fee; charge; rate; material
to pay with one's own money; to pay out of one's own pocket
hollow; sharply; cleanly (of cutting); smoothly
economic fortune; luck with money
to be fickle; to be frivolous; to be flippant; to be flighty; to be giddy; to be restless
rice cakes; pounded mochi rice
seashore; beach; food wrapped in nori
sense of duty; sense of purpose; vocation
festival merrymaking; revelry
to be stunned; to be surprised; (lit.) one's eyes turn into dots (like a cartoon character)
destination; place one stays during a trip
to the previous extent; as much as previously; as much as one used to
to assemble everything together; to do something as a group
aspiration; ambition; plan; hopes; wishes