not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
ostentation; show; affectation
sycophancy; toadying; apple-polishing; sesame seed grinding
interest; entertainment; pleasure; implicit comparison (style of the Shi Jing)
to flatter; to toady (to); to curry favor (with); to butter up; (lit.) to grind sesame seeds
that kind; competition; match
fate; destiny; predestination
mob; the masses; rabble; all things in nature; the whole creation
type of cleromancy divination (described in the Book of Changes) performed with long sticks; The Book of Changes; Yijing; I Ching
one eye; one of one's eyes; being blind in one eye; person who is blind in one eye
huh; I'll be damned; well!
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
certificate; certified document; (the) thumbs up; seal of approval; paper with signature of the shogun or lord
consideration; guess; conjecture; judgement
knowing only too well; being fully aware of
to come from; to have roots in
to beat time; to mark time
quick; prompt; alert; smart; clever; astute
recruiting; job offer; job vacancy
harmless (remark, topic, etc.); inoffensive; safe; bland; neutral (attitude); noncommittal (reply)
unaware; unmindful; unconscious; blind; apathetic
ocean sunfish (Mola mola)
water tank; cistern; fish tank; aquarium
adsorption; adhesion (by suction); attachment; sticking to
to let out a cry; to break forth
to go by; to cross; to pass by; to flash across
gently; mildly; leniently; don't be too hard on me (us, them); go easy on me
wasteland; wilderness; deserted land; prairie; vast plain; wilds
sprout; shoot; bud; germinal disk (in an egg)
to trample underfoot; to tread on; to crush with a foot
unfortunately; regrettably; sad to say
monk; priest; sangha (the Buddhist community)
a push; another effort; one more effort
to use one's own judgement; to not be swayed by others; to have confidence in oneself
narrow; tight; formal; stiff; constrained; uncomfortable
result (that makes an act worthwhile); worth (in doing something); value; Kai (former province located in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture)
considerably (beyond one's expectations); unexpectedly; surprisingly; contrary to one's expectations