introduction; bringing in; leading in; installation
discussion; argument; debate
at first; at the outset; to begin with; as a first step
crisp (e.g. potato chip, fried fish, etc.); crunchy; grumpily; touchily; scratching
making one's debut; making one's first appearance; (just) showing one's face; showing up; introductory kabuki performance (to introduce the actors); December kabuki performance at Kyoto's Minamiza Theater in which all famous actors perform
feces (esp. animal); excrement; dung
business; thing to be done; something that should be performed; information that should be conveyed
quizzical; puzzled; inquisitive; suspicious; doubtful
look (in someone's eyes); expression (of the eyes); eyes
self-abasement; humility; self-depreciation
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
ruffian; villain; peculiar person; idiosyncratic person; tricky thing; something that is more than it seems
wabi-sabi; aesthetic sense in Japanese art centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection
regarding as important; attaching importance to; taking a serious view of; putting emphasis on
somehow; how; in what way; why; what kind of
grasp; catch; understanding
district; region; the country; countryside; civilian society
deep inside; innermost place
to rise (of a building, mountain, etc.); to tower; to soar
welcome (news); inviting; encouraging; tempting; hopeful
severe; harsh; hard; cruel; rigorous
passage (of people, traffic); passing; common usage
to descend (e.g. a mountain); to go down; to alight (e.g. from bus); to get off; to step down; to retire; to be granted
very; extremely; exceedingly; top; highest; best
a little; paltry; piddling; stud; chad
sleep-talking; nonsense; gibberish
to say; to spatter; to prate; to prattle; to babble
perilous pass (on a route or journey); rough spot
capture (of enemy territory); taking (by storm); defeating (an opponent); attacking (a problem) strategically
tool; implement; means; furniture
contrary; opposite; inverse; reverse; back-to-front
to plan; to plot; to attempt (e.g. suicide, murder); to undertake (e.g. business); (arch.) to stand on tip-toes
hole; opening; pit; hollow; burrow; den; deficit
economical; bargain; good value; good-value
related to; in relation to; as far as ... is concerned
not a chance; you wish!; that's not going to happen; that won't work
special order (goods); custom (made); bespoke
for today; for the time being
this area; around here; this point; this much; this extent
unripe; green; inexperienced; immature; unskilled