... or something (like that); ... or whatever; so-called ...; a certain ...
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
century; hundred years; (fig.) a long time
futility; waste; uselessness; pointlessness; idleness
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
powerlessness; helplessness; incompetence; ineffectiveness
to change (into); to turn (into); to transform (into); to influence
20 years old; (arch.) twenty
number (in a series); (one's) turn; watch; guard; rank; standing; bout
mechanism; machinery; system; structure; organization
way; style; ceremony; rite; wedding (ceremony); equation
long sword (as opposed to the shorter katana)
condition; figure; appearance; voice
to change into; to be transformed; to be transfigured; to transform; to alter; to convert
creakily; with a grating sound; packed full; crammed; with no room to spare
transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification; deformation; variety
to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument); to work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
thought; imagination; mind; desire; wish; love
blade; sword; forged blade; wavy pattern on forged blades; sharpness; unhulled rice
peak; summit; ridge; back of a blade
to throw violently against; to slam against; to strike; to thrust at someone (e.g. a letter)
direction; orientation; suited to; suitable for; tendency; inclination
to worry (about); to fuss (over); to be careful (about); to pay attention (to); to take (good) care of
edge (of a knife or sword); blade; prong (of an electrical plug)
opponent; rival; adversary; menace; danger; threat
to have an uneasy conscience
upper tier; upper section; place of honor; place of honour; dais; raised part of floor
to swing downward; to bring down (one's sword, fist, etc.)
just barely; only just; at the very limit; at the last moment
to avoid (physical contact with); to avoid (situation); to evade (question, subject); to ward off; to avert; to put aside
feeling in the hands (when striking, poking, etc.); (feeling of) resistance; response (to one's efforts); reaction; (having an) effect (on)
to graze (e.g. bullet); to scratch; to touch lightly; to take a percentage; to exploit; to squeeze
minimum; lowest; minimal; at a minimum
all; everything; entirety; absolutely (not); (not) at all; (none) whatsoever
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
to jump in; to leap in; to plunge into; to burst in; to barge in
hand used like a sword in striking