to kindle; to build a fire; to instigate; to stir up; to incite
disinheritance; disowning
standing on formality; in a reserved manner; treating a friend as a stranger; unduly distant; formal
I'm afraid to say; I'm sorry to say; unfortunately
to blunder; to fail; to make a mistake
skin; hide; rind; peel; shell; sheath
rice grasshopper (of genus Oxya); grasshopper; locust (of family Catantopidae)
a little; a bit; just a minute; for a moment; somewhat; rather; (not) easily
to gouge; to hollow out; to greatly perturb; to cause emotional pain; to get to the bottom of things; to relentlessly bring the truth to light
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
to grovel; to go down on one's hands and knees
to shrink; to contract; to diminish (in size)
to be furnished with; to be provided with; to be possessed of; to be endowed with; to be among; to be one of
secret techniques (of an art or skill); inner mysteries; essence; quintessence; heart
Herculean task; next-to-impossible undertaking
in case of; at that time; at this time
to plan; to attempt; to plot; to conspire; to aim for; to strive for
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
to change into; to convert into; to transform; to be reduced; to influence; to improve (someone)
flexible; lithe; soft; pliable
to lament; to grieve; to regret; to deplore
muscle stiffness (esp. in shoulders); lump (in tissue, esp. breast); swelling; lingering discomfort; uneasiness
tender-hearted; compassionate; charitable; good-hearted
softly; mildly; gently; politely
to be pleased with; to suit
playing with a handicap of one rook or bishop
face card; court card; picture card (in utagaruta or iroha karuta)
present (e.g. government, administration); current; existing
Saitama (city, prefecture)
prefectural; managed by a prefectural government
senior high school; high school
graduation; completion (of a course); moving on (from); outgrowing (something); leaving (a group, company, etc.)
light and easy; lambent; clever; witty; smart
stroke of the brush; touch; literary style
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement