real condition; actual circumstances; actual state of affairs
having done this; if this is done; if it is done in this way
to do up (hair); to dress; to arrange; to tie; to bind; to fasten
costume; fancy dress; masquerade; converted (cruiser)
reconstruction; rebuilding; restructuring
to become extremely serious (in attitude); to look solemn; to assume a solemn air
to beg; to ask; to request; to pray; to wish
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the proof is in the pudding; don't knock it till you've tried it; you can't tell unless you try
to think about; to send one's heart out to; to give more than a passing thought to; to think of something far away; to think nostalgically upon (esp. one's hometown)
vast; boundless; vague; obscure
to bring to naught; to bring to nought; to abuse (esp. another's kindness); to empty; to clear
suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly
brains (of an operation); advisor; brain trust; brain (organ)
old clothes; secondhand clothing
to reach an extreme; to reach a limit; extremely; to be stuck; to be in a dilemma; to be decided
it's no joke; gimme a break!
ground wave; terrestrial broadcast signal (i.e. not satellite); terrestrial; over-the-air; terrestrial broadcasting; over-the-air broadcasting
broadcasting; broadcast; program; announcement
opaque; obscure; opacity; obscurity; unclear; unpredictable
to sink (into one's seat, etc.); to leap to one's death (by drowning); to be reduced to (esp. working as a prostitute)
to turn (one's face) away; to avert (one's eyes)
preparedness; readiness; mental attitude; frame of mind
blank period; window period; interregnum
Sui dynasty (of China; 581-618)
to feel dizzy; to have blood rush to one's head; to lose one's cool; to be obsessed; to be infatuated; to become conceited
to half-rise to one's feet
(treating) equally; without discrimination; impartially; alike; in the same way
to pretend to be tough; to put on a brave front; to whistle in the dark; to bluff
to sacrifice oneself (for); to give one's life (for); to follow (someone) in taking the same action (out of respect or loyalty; e.g. resigning together with a superior); to follow suit (out of a sense of duty); to follow (one's master) into the grave; to commit suicide (after one's lord has died)
what's done is done; it is no use crying over spilt milk; (lit.) spilt water won't go back into its tray
to gather; to (pick up and) collect; to glean (information)
looking depressed; long face
tediously (explain, complain, etc.); repeatedly; persistently; insistently; ad nauseam; at great length
Aomori Prefecture (Tōhoku area)
fertile; rich; productive
Hirosaki (city in Aomori)
castle town; city in Japan that developed around the castle of a feudal lord
townscape; street (of stores and houses); (look of) stores and houses on street
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
university town; college town