earthly paradise; Shangri-la
village; hamlet; countryside; country
Simon bamboo (Pleioblastus simonii); any thin, but flexible bamboo
immortality; eternal life; undeath; undead
to take a peep at; to catch a glimpse of
anciently; formerly; old times; a long time ago
instructor (esp. of martial or traditional arts); teacher; model; exemplar; normal school (Japan; 1872-1947); teachers' training college
history; pedigree; lineage
person from one's own province (in China); person whose ancestors lived in Taiwan before the Kuomintang-related immigration wave
social standing of a family; lineage; parentage; good family
resident in Japan (of a foreign ambassador, government official, etc.)
bamboo thicket; bamboo grove
repeatedly; over and over again; several layers deep; layer upon layer; row upon row
standing close together; bristling (with)
temple bell; hanging bell; funeral bell
survey; actual measurements
cold; frigid; dignified; distinguished; (of an atmosphere) tense; nerve-racking
tree trunk; bole; backbone; base; foundation
above the clouds; the heavens
immortal mountain wizard (in Taoism); mountain man (esp. a hermit); person not bound by earthly desires
to go in the direction of; to proceed toward; to become; to face (facts, circumstances, etc.); (arch.) to abide by; (arch.) to agree to
wood; lumber; (raw) material; stuff; talent; ability
to fill (with); to be filled with; to express (an emotion); to project (sadness, joy, etc.); to wear (e.g. a smile)
madder (esp. Japanese madder, Rubia argyi); madder (red color)
bitter orange (Citrus aurantium); sour orange; Seville orange; orange (color, colour)
dark lilac (color); royal blue
to border; to fringe; to hem; to edge
craftsman; skilled artisan
innumerable changes; infinite variety
long (time); protracted; prolonged
wabi-sabi; aesthetic sense in Japanese art centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection
tough; stubborn; determined; severely; heavily; hard
baptism; christening; initiation (into a society, group, etc.); baptism; one's first experience of something; baptism (by fire, etc.)
refreshing (e.g. feeling, scene, wind, morning air); brisk; bracing; fresh; refreshed
refinement; elegance; grace
reserve; spare; treasured; valued; (ace) up one's sleeve; trump
to leave as is; to let alone; to disregard
to take off one's hat to a person; to acknowledge another's superiority
for a certain reason; owing to unavoidable circumstances