stiff and slackless; tense without any looseness; cling tightly; pulled or stretched as far as possible; creaking of a door or oar
mouth; lips; shape of the mouth; near an entrance; vicinity of an entrance
to connect; to link together; to pull together; to close tightly; to purse (e.g. lips)
slight movement; slight tremor; quiver
disposal; throwing away; dealing with (a problem); measure; punishment; penalty
family of samurai lineage; person with samurai ancestors; shizoku; the second of three official classes in Japan in 1869-1947, consisting of former samurai
pay; salary; wages; allowance; grant; supply
abolition; discontinuance; discontinuation; repeal; annulment
income; earnings; revenue; proceeds; takings; receipts
to sever; to cut off; to suppress; to eradicate; to abstain (from); to give up
world; society; people; the public
amateurish and haughty way of doing business
banter; raillery; ridicule; teasing; making fun of
finally; in the end; at last; in the end; after all; never (happened)
to be at a loss; to be puzzled; to be perplexed; to be pressed for; to be pinched for; to become poor
one's principal residence; main home
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
government; administration; ministry
selling off; disposal by sale; sale
centerline (road); center line; Chuō Line (central railway line in Tokyo)
route (bus, train, air, etc.); line; line (taken by a group, organization, etc.); policy; course
one part; one portion; one section; one copy (of a book); (one) complete set (of books)
this is why; that is the reason why; it is the case that; so; thus; with that
to transfer (to a different place, group, etc.); to change; to move to the next stage (of a plan, etc.); to divert (one's attention) to; to focus on (something different); to spend (time); to let (time) pass
unique; peculiar; singular
vigour; vigor; virility; health; sturdiness
to understand; to make out
to tuck up (a kimono skirt); to tuck in; to make short (a story, explanation, etc.); to cut short; to abridge
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
alternately; by turns; one after the other
to sum up; to summarize; to summarise
the world in general; society; convention
or; either ... or; maybe; perhaps; some ... and others ...; sometimes ... and at other times ...
supervision; control; superintendence; director; superintendent; supervisor
guidance; leadership; instruction; shido (minor penalty in judo)
general; universal; ordinary; average; (arch.) the same; (arch.) no different
adult; grown-up; becoming an adult; coming of age; growing up (to be a man, woman)
ceremony; rite; ritual; service