dark; gloomy; overcast; heavy; leaden; dull
discouraged; dispirited; despondent
change; alteration; modification
sudden change; complete change
to make merry; to frolic; to be in high spirits
tolerant; generous; lenient; broad-minded; magnanimous
low (rank, degree, value, content, quality, etc.); low (position); close to the ground; short (height); deep (voice); in a low key
cannot be undone; can't be recovered from
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
mincing; chopping finely; short and repeated (movements) (e.g. trembling, stepping quickly); gradual; bit by bit
to shiver; to shake; to quake; to tremble; to quaver; to quiver
judging from; on the basis of; from the point of view of
devastating; gut-wrenching; shocking; startling; sensational; astounding
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
to be pleased; to gloat; to glow with self-satisfaction
to permit; to allow; to forgive; to pardon; to exempt (someone) from; to remit; to acknowledge
softly; gently; stealthily; secretly; to leave alone; to leave as it is
friendly chat; pleasant chat; lighthearted talk; friendly conversation
news; word; tidings; omen
taking a seat; sitting down (in one's seat)
both people; two people; two directions; both directions
calamity; misfortune; disaster
well aware of; know thoroughly; being familiar with (and thus feeling no need for restraint)
to look after; to take care of; to be put in charge of; to be given responsibility for; to withhold (an announcement); to reserve (judgment)
to examine someone's expression
to have a meal; to take a meal
leading part; leading actor; leading actress
far from; anything but; not at all; let alone; to say nothing of; not to mention
equal; identical; the same; no different (to); just like; equivalent
entertainment; amusement; fun
engagingly; cordially; amiably; sociably; hospitably
formal; strict; ceremonious; stiff
most; highest; maximum; best; wonderful; finest
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
dinner party; ceremonial dinner; dinner meeting (or lunch, breakfast)
holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics)
to be renewed; to change; to be improved; to be reformed; to stand on ceremony; to be formal
full-course dinner; multicourse meal
form (as opposed to substance); formality; method; system; format; mode