troupe; theatrical company
ground; crust (earth); foundation (building, etc.); base; constituency; power base
to tread down so as to harden (soil, snow, etc.)
to invite; to ask; to beckon; to wave someone in; to call in; to send for
to seize; to catch; to obtain; to acquire; to understand; to grasp
shrewd; astute; cunning; alert
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
Japanese plum (Prunus salicina); Chinese plum
to take the lead (in doing); to take the initiative; to be the leader
clipping (of newspaper article, etc.); cutting; scrap (for a scrapbook); cut-out (picture, coloured paper, etc.)
true; real; blood-related; biological (father, etc.)
live bullets; live ammunition; ball cartridge; money
to imitate; to copy; to enter someone as a candidate; to press (e.g. a weapon against someone's back); to compare; to liken
Nanjing; Nanking; pumpkin; squash; Chinese; Southeast Asian
crackling; cracking; clapping; incessantly (blinking)
to let fly; to make fly; to skip over; to leave out; to run fast; to drive fast; to spray
here and there; in places
Tsu (city in Mie); harbour; harbor; ferry
jūbako; multi-tiered food box; heavy; serious; extreme; -fold
continuation; succession; series
battle; fight; war; struggle; conflict
military personnel; soldier
consecutive victories; series of victories
the Japanese (rising sun) flag
divergence; alienation; deviation; estrangement; separation; detachment
large bird; peng (in Chinese mythology, giant bird said to transform from a fish); fenghuang (Chinese phoenix)
negotiations; bargaining; talks; making demands
Black Tortoise (god said to rule over the northern heavens); seven mansions (Chinese constellations) of the northern heavens
head; lead; vanguard; first
chartered ship; chartering or hiring a vessel
end; close; finish; termination
dramatic; exciting; touching; extreme
great achievement; glorious deed; (gaining) fame; (earning) distinction
bright light; hope; bright future; light emanating from a buddha or bodhisattva, symbolizing their wisdom and compassion
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
something; nothing (with neg. verb)
skill; workmanship; dexterity; quality
failure; abortive (attempt, action)
sword (esp. a large, double-edged one); blade; bayonet; swordsmanship; stinger; ovipositor