to polish; to shine; to brush (e.g. teeth); to refine (e.g. a skill); to improve; to cultivate
girl; lass; young thing; chick
to wheedle a person into doing something; to carry a portable shrine
to parade; to march; to walk in procession
head; lead; vanguard; first
to shoulder; to carry on one's shoulder; to nominate for a position; to choose as a representative; to take (someone) for a ride; to deceive
temple festival; fair; fete day; day related to a particular deity and thought to bring divine blessing to those who celebrate it
economic slump; hard times; poor (business); dull; gloomy; cheerless
recently; lately; these days
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
therefore; for that reason; such being the case
putting life into; animating; cheering up
Shinto priest; chief Shinto priest (of a shrine); Welsh onion; pun in Buddhist monk jargon
taking over (e.g. store or family's headship); subrogation; substitution of one person for another (usu. a creditor)
to strain or exert oneself; to go all out
portable shrine (carried in festivals); buttocks; lower back; waist
envious; jealous; enviable (position, etc.)
contribution (to a temple, shrine, etc.); donation
to abate; to decrease; to diminish; to shorten
half the amount (of money); half price; half fare
God; god; ace; king; superior person
to drive a bargain; to beat down the price; to haggle
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
as a child; when one was a child
contact; connectedness; rapport; mutual touching
to be late; to be delayed; to fall behind (in a race, one's studies, etc.); to lag behind; to be bereaved of; to be preceded by (someone) in death
finally; at last; barely; narrowly; gradually; little by little
beyond this point; from now on; after this
sacred wine or sake; sake offered to the gods
in the meanwhile; during the time
business; trade; operations; sales
to be crowded with people; to be bustling with; to prosper; to flourish; to do thriving business
loveable; very likeable; like very much
although I say; although one might say; although called
totally willing; fully motivated
stand-offish; distant; not frank; watery (alcohol, coffee, etc.)
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand
mother-in-law; foster mother; step mother
to take; to carry (something) away; to bear
there's no knowing; there's no telling; it's anyone's guess; who knows?
to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to be frightened; to get cold feet; to chicken out