personal history; background; career
subcontract; subcontractor (person or company)
(one's) beloved car (or motorcycle, bicycle, etc.); (one's) wheels
(truck) load-carrying tray; (bicycle) luggage carrier; roof rack
collaborator; cooperator; coworker; ally
to prepare oneself for the worst; to strengthen one's resolve; to accept one's fate; to prepare oneself
large-scale operation; large-scale campaign; major mission
(writing, painting) brush
instructor (esp. of martial or traditional arts); teacher; model; exemplar; normal school (Japan; 1872-1947); teachers' training college
licence; license; certificate; diploma
being on the ropes; losing ground
specialist; expert; professional; authority; pundit
strict observance; rigid adherence; scrupulous compliance
under investigation; under consideration; under review; pending (decision, etc.); awaiting verification
pop; popular; pop-art-style; pop (music); pop (stack operation)
typeface; style of handwriting; calligraphic style
to inlay; to set; to stud (e.g. star-studded sky); to enchase (something) with; to mount (gems)
utility pole; power pole; telephone pole; telegraph pole
indie (artist, film, record label, etc.); independent production; independent company; independent publisher
independence; autonomy; self-reliance
price; cost; value; worth; value
command; order; request; order (for an item)
as if; as though; (not) at all; (not) in the slightest; really; completely
holding a ceremony; wedding ceremony
9th day of the month; nine days
Golden Week (early-May holiday season in Japan)
to reveal by washing the surface; to expose by washing away dirt, earth, etc.; to discover (by investigation); to bring to light; to start washing
to meet the requirements; to satisfy the conditions
adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing by ear; ad hoc approach
collecting; accumulating; collection (of art, stamps, insects, etc.); garbage collection; waste collection
home page; web page; horsepower; HP; half-pipe (in snowboarding, skateboarding, etc.); hit point
inner structure; internal anatomy
reserving (for exclusive use); (full) booking; chartering; block reservation
not straightforward; not dealt with by ordinary means; very hard to manage