river management; river improvement; flood control
minimum; lowest; minimal; at a minimum
to ask for too much; to expect too much
to hold on to something (secret, lead in a race, etc.)
local governor (Edo period); local magistrate; bailiff; deputy official (Middle Ages); acting administrator
abandonment; renouncement; renunciation; resignation; abdication; surrender
greedy; avaricious; rapacious; insatiable
fighting bravely; strenuous efforts
burden; load; responsibility; bearing (a cost, responsibility, etc.); shouldering
pity; sympathy; compassion; affection; love
very high; high up; aloft; only; merely; just
conditional; qualified; with conditions attached
(present) head of a family
security; guarantee; collateral; guarantee (e.g. of safety)
messenger; envoy; emissary
the same amount of money; the same sum; the same price
to lie down (and sleep); to go to bed (with an illness)
newcomer; new figure; new member; modern humans (from Cro-Magnon man onwards); Homo sapiens
self-satisfaction; (self-)complacency; smugness
a few hours; several hours; a couple of hours
appetizer; starter; hors d'oeuvre
satisfying; pleasing; gratifying
to begin to open; to come out; to smile broadly; to come apart at the seams (clothes)
nothing special; no big deal; doesn't matter; nothing to worry about
to cross one's mind; to be reminded
taking care of oneself; self-love
miscellaneous; mixed; unorganized
to return a favor (favour); to repay
person obsessed with thoughts of sex; being obsessed with love or lust
make-up; makeup; cosmetics; decoration; dressing; veneer
attendance; participation; presence
(formal) announcement; unveiling; introduction; debut
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
to kneel (in respect); to genuflect
influential person; man of importance
farce; charade; person who serves tea; short and humorous improvised sketch (originating from Edo-era kabuki)
chattering; chit-chat; (ladies) prattle
to be in confusion or commotion; to be in a turmoil; to be crowded or jammed with people