no matter (what, who, etc.); whether ... or ...; be
to dish up; to arrange (food) on a plate
proof; evidence; sign; witnessing; testifying; testimony
flash (of light); glint; swift strike; quick decisive move
plate; dish; serving; helping; kanji radical 108 (at the bottom)
waiting on a table; serving (at dinner); waiter; waitress; office boy; office girl
to become excited; to grow lively
male homosexuality; sodomy; (arch.) male prostitute
talking about memories; reminiscences
nodding (in agreement, with approval, etc.); repeatedly nodding and dozing off; suddenly (dying); deep (flavor, flavour, color, colour, etc.); rich
wick; marrow; core; heart; pistil (of a flower); stamen
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable
to permeate (of a stain, smell, etc.); to become ingrained; to become embedded; to become a deeply ingrained habit; to become second nature
stinking; smelly; suspicious; fishy; hammy (acting); over-the-top; clumsy
to declare; to speak out; to warn; to spit out (words)
humour; humor; safety; health; in a good mood; in high spirits
to injure; to damage; to kill; to hinder; to obstruct
December; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
previous generation (of a family); previous head of the family; predecessor; previous age; previous generation
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...
to force (someone) to take part; to take along unwillingly
dying in vain; useless death; meaningless death
substitution (for someone else); substitute; stand-in; scapegoat; sacrifice
cool-headed; level-headed; hard-headed
horned owl (any owl with horn-like ear tufts)
to make sacrifices for; to pay dearly for
won't; hasn't; isn't; won't you
Niigata (city, prefecture)
looking over someone's shoulder
outward appearance; looks
to hang down (from); to dangle; to be within one's reach; to dangle (before one's eyes); to be completely reliant on; to be entirely dependent on
to fold one's arms; to link arms with someone
zazen (seated Zen meditation, usu. in a cross-legged position)
wandering samurai; soldier of fortune; brigand; mountain-dwelling robber
what do you want?; can I help you?
person standing watch; guard duty
unpleasant; awkward; embarrassing; uneasy
to strain (one's ears, eyes); to prick up (one's ears)
one digit; one column; the "ones" column
to be complete; to be all present; to be equal; to be uniform; to gather; to assemble
unnecessary; not needed; not necessary
modesty; humility; being humble
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
to be due to; to be caused by; to depend on; to turn on; to be based on; to come from