fall of a castle; surrender of a castle; giving up (on something); giving in (to persuasion); yielding
Tokugawa period (i.e. the Edo period, 1603-1867)
has never (done, occurred); there has never been an instance (where); there is no precedent (for)
(not) always; (not) necessarily; (not) entirely; (not) all
skeleton; skeletal structure; build; framework
way (of going); route; way (of doing); method
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
to write down or convey in full
running off in the night (to leave one's old life behind, e.g. to get away from debt); moonlight flit; skipping town overnight; upping and leaving under the cover of darkness; midnight vanishing act
easily (reach, exceed, etc.); comfortably; amply; fully; well over
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation
(full-length) novel; long novel
protagonist; main character; hero; head (of a household); proprietor (of a store)
establishing proof; demonstration; substantiation
risky; dangerous; suggestive; bordering on the obscene; (arch.) extreme; (arch.) harsh
successive generations; successive emperors
sunset; sundown; end; close; year-end; end of the year
to yearn (for); to miss; to feel nostalgic (for); to recall fondly
to return (to the original state); to revert (to); to restore (to); to take revenge on
neglect of one's health; unhealthy living; intemperance
staying up all night; all-night vigil
habit (usu. a bad one); tendency; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; crease; wrinkle
fly (any insect of infraorder Muscomorpha); person of no worth; pisher; scrub
many; much; plenty; hardly
gas (as a fuel); gas (state of matter); poison gas; dense fog; thick fog; gas stove; gas cooker
charcoal; charred remains
to have (e.g. lunch); to take (e.g. vitamins)
bottom; sole; depths (e.g. of despair, the sea); bottom (of one's heart); limit; end
to scratch; to perspire; to shovel; to paddle
I wonder; should I?; is it?; I wish that; I hope that
miserable; wretched; lonely; dreary; shabby; comfortless
anxiety; uneasiness; worry; apprehension; fear; insecurity
grateful; thankful; welcome; appreciated; evoking gratitude