dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
nail; spike; tack; rivet; brad; (pachinko) pin
beginning; start; civilization; civilisation; enlightenment
thief; burglar; robber; theft; burglary; robbery
to tie; to bind; to fasten; to restrict (freedom); to tie down (with rules, regulations, etc.); to fetter
good fortune; happiness; blessing; good luck
pleasure and pain; joys and sorrows
future (usually near); prospects
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
to hit and break open; to crush; to smash
punching bag (boxing); training bag; sandbag
instead of; in place of; as a substitute for; in exchange for; in return for; to make up for
mountain; hill; mine (e.g. coal mine); heap; pile; crown (of a hat); thread (of a screw)
eight; eight years of age; two o'clock (old time system)
to pulverize; to break into pieces; to beat to a pulp; to defeat completely; to crush
to forge; to temper; to drill; to train; to discipline
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
(clenched) fist; knuckles
dispersing; breaking up; running away
unforgivable; inexcusable; unpardonable
to curse; to put a curse on; to detest intensely
after a short while; not long after; soon; before long; shortly thereafter
cast-off skin (snake, insect, etc.); husk; empty shell; exuvia; exuviae
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
to pass (time); to spend; to overdo (esp. of one's alcohol consumption); to drink (alcohol); (arch.) to take care of; (arch.) to support
surely (not); certainly (not)
rightly or wrongly; by all possible means
grandfather; old man; kyogen mask used for the role of an old man
tune; tone; vein; mood; condition; state of health
good outward appearance; looking nice; being attractive; making a fine show
purposely (of something needless, unexpected or seemingly counterproductive, etc.); daringly (doing something); not necessarily; not particularly; (arch.) definitely not
hope; promise; expectation; anticipation; side of a structural member
trifle; insignificant thing; (only) this much
new era; new period; new age; new epoch
standard-bearer; flag-bearer
to drop like a rock (e.g. of reputation, power, influence); to go down the toilet
biggest; greatest; largest; maximum
to nip (something) in the bud
discernment; penetration; insight; intellectual acumen