Liang dynasty (of China; 502-557)
short story; short film; short poem
suddenly; in a flash; quickly; conspicuously; prominently; showily
to notice; to realize; to be attentive; to be scrupulous; to regain consciousness; to come to (one's senses)
dangerous; risky; awful; terrible; terrific; amazing
to cause trouble (for someone); to annoy; to bother; to inconvenience
blunt; to the point; direct; outspoken; frank
single cell; simple-minded; one-track-minded
to build; to construct; to erect; to build up (a reputation, position, fortune, etc.); to establish (a relationship, household, tradition, etc.); to lay (a foundation)
graceful; ladylike; modest; gentle; polite; quiet
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
to make someone cry; to move someone to tears; to grieve
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
personal information form; dossier on an individual
family structure; family composition; family makeup
voluntary singlehood (as a principle or creed); singlehood by choice
family-oriented way of life; family-first way of life; cocooning
surging waves; raging billows; turbulent; tempestuous; tumultuous
straight to the point; point-blank; frank; direct
children's game in which the aim is to occupy the other's home base; taking a place; securing a position
to inlay; to set; to stud (e.g. star-studded sky); to enchase (something) with; to mount (gems)
reference materials; references; bibliographical sources; written materials; documents
the West; the Occident; Western countries
Second World War (1939-1945); World War II; WWII; WW2
last (i.e. immediately preceding); previous; pre- (e.g. premodern); before; before; earlier
Russo-Japanese War (1904-5)
horse riding; horseback riding; horseback rider
China; Chūgoku region (western part of Honshu comprising the prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori and Shimane); central part of a country; main region; province of the second lowest rank (ritsuryō system)
at this juncture; after all this time; at this stage; now
company; firm; (Shinto) shrine; regional Chinese god of the earth (or a village built in its honour); counter for companies, shrines, etc.; incorporated body
turban-like hat worn by officials in the Ryūkyū Kingdom
narrative-like structure; narrative style
arrow (symbol); (romantic) interest (for a certain person); direction (of one's attention, etc.)
children and grandchildren; posterity; descendants