to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse
indefinite; hazy; vague; unsettled; undecided
to try and do something; to attempt to do something
event; affair; incident; case; plot; trouble
February; second month of the lunar calendar
incident; affair; happening; event
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
to be caught; to be captured; to be taken prisoner; to be seized with (fear, etc.); to be a slave to; to stick to
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
ball (for sport, games, etc.); kemari; type of football played by courtiers in ancient Japan
(arch.) eastern Japan (esp. Kamakura or Edo, from perspective of Kyoto or Nara); (arch.) eastern provinces; (arch.) east; wagon; yamatogoto
somewhat; to some extent; to some degree; some; part; portion
though; notwithstanding; although
all; completely; totally; entirely; thoroughly
chapter; section; medal; badge; insignia
along the river; riverside
tea (usu. green); tea break (at work); tea ceremony
up through; up until; down to; from ... to ... (e.g. from head to toe); everything from ... to ...
in drops; dripping; gently (sloping); sluggishly; endlessly; leisurely
ascent; climbing; ascending (path); upbound (esp. toward Tokyo)
immediately; at once; soon; before long; easily; readily
proximity; nearness; soon; nearby
to approach; to draw near; to be imminent; to press (someone for something); to urge; to compel
real feeling; actual feeling; to actually feel; to have a real feeling (that ...); to experience personally
air; atmosphere; mood; situation; someone with no presence; someone who doesn't stand out at all
a short time ago; a while ago; for some time
to spend; to expend; to waste; to squander; to devote
bar; bolt (e.g. on door); double-arm lock; (rope) cinching
ken (6 shaku, approx. 1.818 m); counter used to number the gaps between pillars
main building (of a manor); central room (of a house)
to speak; to say; to vocalize
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
coincident with; while; simultaneously
overbearing; unstable wrestling stance
3 Japanese feet; waistband; belt; cloth girdle
your wife; his wife; secret meeting; secrecy
end; final; end of life; death; never; not at all
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
to take a breath; to take a short rest