religion; religious affiliation; belief; religious activity
irreligion; lack of religion; unbelief
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
battle for Christmas sales
whole cake; cake sold whole (as opposed to in individual slices)
main guest; guest of honor; guest of honour
to jar; to grate; to make others uncomfortable
to entertain; to make welcome
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
to take the lead (of a group of people); to lead (a toast, cheer, etc.); to sing the leading notes of a song after which others join in
to make merry and forget one's troubles; to do as one pleases
ticket; token; label; tag; sign; card; playing card
center; centre; middle; Chūbu region (incl. Aichi, Nagano, Shizuoka, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi and Gifu prefectures)
long (time); longstanding; for a long time
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
southern part; the south (of a region)
Fomalhaut (star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus); Alpha Piscis Austrini
to make good one's escape; to get away; to outrun; to hold on (and win); to win narrowly
cooking, esp. frying or stir-frying; heating; tempering; -ware
to leap back; to jump back
stole; scarf; stall (of an engine or aircraft); stall (cattle)
willpower; faith; telekinesis; psychokinesis
heavy outfit designed to keep out the cold
to shut in; to confine; to contain
clause; article; stipulations
judgement; judgment; carrying out a sentence (e.g. execution)