quietly; softly; seriously; solemnly; sadly
hearthfire; ingle; open fire in a fireplace
drumming (noise); beating; rapidly; quickly; continuously; one after the other
to come untied; to come apart; to be softened; to be relaxed
to shorten; to narrow; to close; to shrink
to surprise; to frighten; to create a stir
olden-day; hidden in the past
obi; kimono sash; paper wrapper on books, CDs, etc.; band; belt; cingulum
wavering; unsteady; floating hip throw (judo)
to pin the enemy down; to glare another down (and render impotent)
housewife; mistress (of the house); homemaker
light; illumination; glow; lamp; light
in a lively way; vividly; freshly; animatedly; actively; energetically
happy; glad; pleased; joyful; delightful; gratifying
to look back on (the past); to reflect on; to look behind (at); to turn round (and look); to consider; to concern oneself about
elbowroom; leeway; room; reserve; margin; allowance
ascent; climbing; up-train; train heading toward the starting point of its route; upbound (esp. toward Tokyo); upstream
to rinse; to wash out; to have one's revenge; to wipe out a disgrace
noon; midday; daytime; lunch
to be useful; to be helpful; to serve the purpose
several years standing; over several years
to understand; to comprehend; to become clear; to be known; I know!; I think so too!
public and private; official and personal; government and people
as soon as possible; as quickly as possible; speedily; without delay; ASAP
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
leading; prominent; eminent; counting on one's fingers
(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least; (not) in any way; (not) at all
accident; emergency; calamity
to start a journey; to embark on a trip; to set forth; to hit the trail
child; kid; (one's) child; offspring; young (animal); young woman; offshoot
to redeem (from sin); to save
flattery; cajolery; flirtation
to fill (with); to be filled with; to express (an emotion); to project (sadness, joy, etc.); to wear (e.g. a smile)
to coil about; to follow about; to surround; to cling to
little girl; maiden; young lady; (arch.) female between 17 and 20 years old (ritsuryo period)
to be enlivened; to be exhilarated
tear; tears; lachrymal secretion; sympathy
myself; oneself; (arch.) I; (arch.) me; (arch.) you (referring to one's inferior)
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
caller; visitor; company; guest
painstaking; careful; meticulous; scrupulous; detailed; elaborate
with all due respect; if I may make bold to ask