straight to the point; point-blank; frank; direct
mask; disguise; guise; mask
expressing emotion; drawing facial expressions
simply; merely; only; solely
being concerned about or mindful of
at a young age; while still young
lowest seat; foot of the table; seat furthest from the seat of honour; lowest rank; bottom (e.g. of the class)
samurai on horseback; (medieval) knight
one wing; (a) role; (a) part
nature; natural constitution; innate disposition
stopping at; going no further than
(former) imperial university
(academic) excellence; superiority; honors (e.g. graduating with); cum laude
exemption; exoneration; discharge
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
hold; catch; connection; relationship; unease; discomfort
death; decease; (arch.) death penalty (by strangulation or decapitation); (an) out
these days; nowadays; present day; at this time (of the day)
tragedy; tragic drama; tragic play; tragedy; calamity; disaster
orphan; person without friends
scholarly ability; scholarship; knowledge; literary ability
barrier; obstacle; difficulty; hurdle; deadlock
charitable person; philanthropist; volunteer; supporter
aid; assistance; help; cheering; rooting (for); support
birth; birthplace; born in (country, month, imperial era, zodiac year, etc.)
not worth mentioning (with neg. verb); nothing special
connection; link; relationship
father's side of family; paternal (grandfather, uncle, etc.)
grandfather; old man; kyogen mask used for the role of an old man
financially scraping by; meagre existence (meager); hand to mouth existence; living one's life without plan; living life day-by-day; taking life one day at a time
very hungry; starving; ravenous
weight; weight (e.g. of someone's words); burden; importance; significance
to be overawed; to be overpowered; to lose the mental battle
bereaved family; surviving family; family of the deceased
illegitimate child; bastard; love child
plain; field; hidden (structural) member; wild; lacking a political post
to resign; to retire; to quit; to leave (one's job, etc.)
account of a dream; fantastic story; wild tale; empty dream
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove