to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
four; 4; four years of age; ten o'clock (in the old time system); burakumin; cross grips
(with) great vigour (from the way splitting bamboo goes all down the stick); irresistible force
invasion (e.g. of a country); raid; aggression
great war; great battle; world war
merger; joining into one; amalgamation; melding; merging; annexation
plot of land; lot; soil; locality; region; place
to marry (a woman); to take to wife; to take in marriage
to appoint; to nominate; to consider (oneself) to be; to pose as; to assume (a role, responsibility, etc.); to take on
rank; ranking order; hierarchy
the same rank; equality; apposition
war or military record; score; military achievements; results
skillful; adroit; craft; craftsmanship; plot; scheme
northern part; the north (of a region)
conquest; domination; supremacy; winning (a championship)
to accomplish; to achieve; to complete; to carry out; to carry through
present (e.g. government, administration); current; existing
divine sword (one of the three sacred treasures)
western part; the west (of a region); the West (United States)
to make one's own; to take possession of
economic; financial; economical; thrifty; frugal
to become moist; to be moistened; to profit (from); to benefit; to be refreshed (of one's mind); to be enriched (of one's heart)
power; might; authority; spirits; vigor; vigour
ruin; fall; collapse; downfall; bankruptcy
north; the North; northern territories; North Korea; (arch.) north wind
if; when; when it comes to ...; as for ...; why don't you ...; why not ...
not exceeding ...; not more than ...; below (a standard, level, etc.); under; the following; the below-mentioned
war; battle; campaign; (arch.) troops; (arch.) forces
to stand in the way (esp. with legs spread out); to block the way; to stand in the way (e.g. of progress); to obstruct
forcefulness of speech; influential voice
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
to deem acceptable; to approve of; to value; to consider a good thing
battle; war; fight (against time, poverty, etc.); struggle (for freedom, survival, etc.); contest; competition
continuation; continuance; maintenance; persistence; going on
to swell up; to bulge; to swell (of a budget, population, etc.); to increase significantly; to balloon
economy; economics; finance; (one's) finances; being economical; economy
pressure; oppression; suppression
vicious circle; vicious cycle
(confronting a problem, etc.) head-on; directly; outright; (lit.) from the front
underwater; behind closed doors; behind the scenes; below the surface