to play a leading role; to play a central part
absurd; foolish; stupid; silly; nonsense; ludicrous
to proceed with; to continue with; to move on; to go forward; to pursue
to cross; to go across; to go through; to cut across
testimony; (verbal) evidence
advance; moving forward; progress
to go against; to oppose; to disobey; to defy
erasure; striking off; crossing out; cancellation; deletion
to be forestalled; to fall behind; to be one step behind
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
looking on from afar; being a spectator
to draw near; to approach; to be imminent; to be impending; to be at hand
pus; corruption; rot; evils
change of color; change of colour; fading; discoloration; discolouration
hook; hook bracket (Japanese quotation mark)
to pluck off (esp. by twisting); to pick; to break off; to wrest (away from); to wrench free; to snatch (away)
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot); forerunner; pioneer
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
preparations; preliminary arrangements; spade work; mise en place; groundwork
to form a circle; to stand in a circle
poor-quality; low-quality; shoddy; low-grade
light and shade; shade (of colour, color); depth (of flavor); complexity; strength and weakness (of flavor)
triangle; triangular shape
headgear (esp. one made of cloth); hood; kerchief; tokin (headgear worn by yamabushi)
various; diverse; different; divergent; divided; conflicting
contour; outline; summary; outline; looks; features
concord; harmony; concert
whispering; whisper; secret talk; murmur
solemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.); austere; grave; majestic; dignified; stately
blasphemy; profanity; sacrilege; desecration; defilement
mainly; primarily; mostly; largely; chiefly
to behave modestly; to take a humble attitude
taking a story with a grain of salt; discounting half the story
to rub against; to chafe; to quarrel; to jostle (with)
dying message (message left by a murder victim just before death; in mystery novels, etc.)
transformation; abnormality; sexual perversion; pervert; metamorphosis; transformation
erotic; sexy; arousing; risque; sultry
lewdness; lewd person; lecher