smoothly; with a slipping or sliding motion
gradually (progressing); steadily; slowly; seeping out (sweat, tears, etc.)
end; tip; end (of the year, month, etc.); close; youngest child; descendants; offspring
to consider as; to regard (as equivalent); to deem (as); to equate
somewhat below; slightly below
tourism industry; tourist industry
making a guest appearance; guest starring
to lessen; to decrease; to diminish
engaging in (work); pursuing (e.g. studies); following (a profession); being involved in
small; little; tiny; insignificant; humble; modest
holiday; day off; furlough; absence (from work)
piece of paper; slip of paper; strip of paper; scrap of paper
tailoring; dressmaking; sewing; making; preparation
printing; typing; printed character; typed character; character(s) carved onto a seal
beginning of the year; new year; New Year's call; New Year's greetings
fax; facsimile; fax machine
New Year's holiday; period encompassing the close of the old year and the start of the New Year
thinnish; somewhat narrow
rare; uncommon; not often seen
to look displeased; to frown; to scowl; to look grave; to look serious
to dodge (e.g. a question); to evade; to sidestep; to give (someone) the slip
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
last business day of the year
overprotective; excessive care; overprotection; overprotectiveness
custom; general rule; convention; usually; generally; as a rule
returning home; visiting one's parents; new bride's first visit to parents
since when; from when; how long
reaching a stopping place; settling down (before the next stage); getting to a point where one can rest; one paragraph
hot water; hot bath; hot spring; molten iron
winter vacation; winter holidays
home town; birthplace; native place; (arch.) ruins; (arch.) historic remains
another's parent; another's parents
sense of distance (physical or emotional); feeling of distance
root (of a plant); root (of a tooth, hair, etc.); center (of a pimple, etc.); root (of all evil, etc.); source; one's true nature
ryokan; traditional inn; Japanese-style lodging, usu. professionally-run
being put to shame; being outshone; being eclipsed; feeling embarrassed
small; narrow; familiar prefix; slightly; a bit