discussion; talk; tête-à-tête; conference
advance guard; vanguard; athlete who competes in the first match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
order; rank; position (e.g. in a race); precedence
pardon; forgiveness; forbearance
marking; grading; scoring
choice; selection; option
point (of a story, argument, etc.); key point; point; site; point (in scoring); point (in a loyalty program); points
form; method; system; formula
special characteristic; special quality; trait; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity
from the standpoint of; from the viewpoint of; on; above; the best; top
participation (in a tournament, match, race, etc.); entry; appearance (on the stage, television, etc.); exiting (a venue, train station, etc.); exit; being dispatched (of an ambulance, fire engine, etc.)
disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position
first move (in shogi, go, etc.); beginning; start
pure; innocent; pure; unmixed; long kimono made from the same plain-coloured cloth
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
type; style; mold; mould; kata (set sequence of positions and movements in martial arts); style (in kabuki, noh, etc.); convention
finely chopped fish or meat (sometimes seared first); mince; hitting (e.g. a drum); striking; bashing; criticizing; robbery
adding points; addition of marks and symbols to a classical Chinese text to aid reading in Japanese
to be softened; to calm down
zabuton; flat floor cushion used when sitting or kneeling; usu. rectangular
to sit cross-legged; to rest on one's laurels; to be self-complacent
unskillful; poor; awkward; imprudent; untactful
quick; speedy; prompt; rapid; swift
to put in order; to arrange; to get ready; to prepare; to adjust; to regulate (e.g. rhythm, tune, one's breathing)
many; much; a great amount; (arch.) excessive amount
light (of movements); nimble; light-hearted; cheerful; taking a turn for the better (of an illness); receding of symptoms
pounding lightly on the shoulders (to relieve stiffness); shoulder massage; massage stick for pounding the shoulders; tapping on the shoulder (as a hint to resign); urging someone to resign; pressuring someone to resign
with a tap; with a knock; smoothly (proceed); without a hitch; even; equal
large; big; older; senior; final; ultimate
from the beginning; from the first; of course; not to mention ...; not only ... but also ...
soft; tender; soft (colour, light, etc.); subdued; informal; light
to be hit; to strike; to touch; to be in contact; to be equivalent to; to be applicable; to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.)
healing; soothing; therapy; comfort; solace
expression; representation; description; representation (of a group)
to gush forth (e.g. water from a spring); to flow (out); to well up (of tears, emotions, etc.); to flow out (of tears); to emerge; to suddenly appear
to be befuddled (with drink); to be intoxicated; to be infatuated; to be entranced; to be carried away
leap; jump; stepping out into the wider world; becoming active on a wider stage; rapid progress; dramatic development
to take a peep at; to catch a glimpse of
earthly paradise; Shangri-la
dream; dream; hope; unrealistic aspiration; daydream; delusion