suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
in the end; on top of that
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
defense; defence; pleading; advocacy
point in common; common feature
to spend all one's time doing; to do day in, day out; to do nothing but ...; to pass (of days)
fight; battle; combat; struggle (for rights, higher wages, etc.); strife; (labor) dispute
dagger; stiletto; confidant; right-hand man
inarticulate; clumsy with words; poor at speaking
secret; secrecy; mystery; secret (e.g. to success); esoteric teachings
to sit in a row; to be arrayed
poor health; ill health; unhealthy
tall figure; high stature
body; torso; trunk; build; physique; health
to give an impression; to make an impression
to age; to grow old (esp. in appearance); to show marks of age
provocative; incendiary; inflammatory; suggestive; lascivious; risqué
to sheathe one's sword; to lay down arms; to bury the hatchet
close aide (of a powerful person); close associate; entourage; attendant; retainer
average (normal, ordinary) year; every year; annually
conference; consultation; discussion; negotiation
ghost; revenant; spirit (of the dead); departed soul
to have a lot of influence (in); to have clout (with); to be influential; to have contacts (in)
getting tired of; getting sick of; getting bored with; getting fed up with
to dream (i.e. while asleep); to have a dream; to dream (of the future); to have a fleeting experience
to clear up; to clear away; to refresh (e.g. spirits); to be cleared (e.g. of a suspicion); to be dispelled; to be banished
to pitch camp; to set up camp
approximately; about; to (about) the extent that; (almost) enough that; as ... as ...; like
awarding; conferment; granting; presentation
powerful army; strengthening of the military
main; principal; chief; primary; major
someone else's hands; someone else's possession; hand (worker); aide; labor; labour
national customs and manners; provincial song or ballad; waka (classical Japanese poetry, as opposed to Chinese poetry)
to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby); to take upon oneself; to be saddled with
to try all possible means