cut in the skin caused by a vacuum formed by a whirlwind; mythical weasel-like creatures riding on whirlwinds and inflicting sharp, painless wounds
as is habit; the way life normally is
lining; backing; backing up (e.g. a theory); support; bolstering
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank
sprout; shoot; bud; germinal disk (in an egg)
word game; wordplay; playing with words
to show one's affection; to express one's love
to believe; to believe in; to place trust in; to confide in; to have faith in
to sheathe one's sword; to lay down arms; to bury the hatchet
still having a very small chance; still having a tiny shred of hope
superficial; apparent; seeming; surface; cosmetic
overflowing; effusive; exuberant; bountiful
emptiness; hollowness; vacancy; inanity; pointlessness; meaninglessness
(not) even with; (not) even using
completion; accomplishment; attainment of greatness or success
bold move (in sumo, judo, etc.); daring move; powerful technique
to form; to make; to build up (e.g. a fortune); to create; to accomplish; to achieve; to change (into)
person who died for a cause; guinea pig (for a new product or service); test subject; hitobashira; ritual human sacrifice by burying a living person under or near a large-scale construction project to invoke divine protection
to die out; to become extinct
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; I don't get it; I'm confused; I'm lost
to lay bare; to expose; to reveal
both in name and reality; both in name and substance
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
quite a chore; not that easy; fairly difficult
to make fun of; to look down on; to make light of
nightly procession of monsters, spirits, etc.; veritable pandemonium; large number of people plotting and doing evil; creepy characters roaming about
evil spirits of rivers and mountains
desperate; frantic; excited; worked up; heated; eager
to be attacked by a disease
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie
otherwise; if not; or else
contempt; scorn; disdain; despising; looking down on; slighting
(balance) scales; carrying pole; shoulder pole; thread take-up lever (on a sewing machine); spreader bar
circuitous; roundabout; indirect
striking; remarkable; considerable
(depending on) how; (depending on) what; nature (of); what is ...?; how is ...?; what will be ...?
to light (a candle, lamp, etc.); to turn on (a light)
to have a long life; to live a long time
touching; moving; painful