original story (as opposed to a sequel, spin-off, etc.); main story; this volume; the movie (as opposed to the trailers; at a movie theater); feature film (main item in a cinema program); movie based on a TV series
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service
during a telephone call; busy line
(blue-collar) worker; laborer; labourer
sequel; later development
world fair; international exposition
Pau (France); Poe; Po (river in Italy)
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
foundation; base; basis; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
various opinions; various theories; various rumors (rumours)
bank; weir; embankment; levee
river management; river improvement; flood control
river which often overflows its banks
to quiet (a child, crowd, etc.); to quieten; to calm (one's nerves, excitement, etc.); to compose (oneself); to suppress (a rebellion, riot, fire, etc.); to quell
Edo Castle (residence of the Shogun during the Edo period, now the site of the Tokyo Imperial Palace)
turret; watchtower; high wooden stage; scaffolding; wooden frame (of a kotatsu); yagura
standing upright; standing straight; standing erect; rising perpendicularly; rising straight up; towering high
castle construction; building a castle; fortification
to hurry (someone to do); to hasten; to urge; to press; to rush
mason; stonemason; stonecutter
to let (someone) play; to keep (someone) amused; to leave idle; to not make use of; to do; to do
kan (obs. unit of weight, approx. 3.75 kg, 8.3 lb); kan (obs. unit of currency, equiv. to 1000 mon in the Edo period; col. 10 mon in the Meiji period); counter for pieces of sushi; 10 points; 12 points
bank; embankment; dike; reservoir; pond
cave; tunnel; tunnel tomb (Kofun period)
to dig; to excavate; to delve into; to dig up (vegetables, treasure, etc.); to mine (coal, ore, etc.); to top
statue of Buddha; image of Buddha; Buddhist statue; Buddhist image
effect; efficacy; validity; potency
cornerstone; foundation stone
to lure (someone) out; to lure away; to decoy out
measurement; size; extent; plan; intention; arrangement
central pillar (of a building); mainstay (e.g. of an economy); backbone (e.g. of a family); provider
bathing; going in the bath
break; pause; halt; (temporary) stop
latest; most recent; nearest (in time)
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
chain; series; connection; linkage
accessory (fashion); jewelry; accessory (audio, car, camera, etc.)
camera shake; picture blur; deviation; slight shifting
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
monks who practise austerity to the point of death and mummification