official duties; office; function
the present regime; the existing regime
critical; judgmental; censorious; negative
to stab; to stick; to pierce; to thrust
to be selected (from among many people)
to be flexible; to be accommodating
three branches of the Tokugawa family (Owari, Kii and Mito); big three; top three
to make a success in life
activity (esp. energetic or successful); great efforts; active participation; walking about with great vigor
tending to find things bothersome; person who tends to find things bothersome
without (making) any mistakes; flawlessly; accurately
to digest; to break down; to break to pieces; to be able to use; to be good at; to finish; to complete
transactions; dealings; business
reconciliation of interests; settlement of interests
soil; breeding ground (for); fertile ground (for)
to chip (off); to shave off; to sharpen; to dampen (one's enthusiasm, interest, etc.); to reduce
in order to; for the purpose of; must; should
turns and twists; ups and downs; meandering; complications; vicissitudes
area; vicinity; side; edge; circumstances
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
to tuck up (a kimono skirt); to tuck in; to make short (a story, explanation, etc.); to cut short; to abridge
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
whole army; whole team; all armies; all teams
immediate; prompt; quick; rapid; urgent; pressing
to be stripped of all one's clothes; to lose everything one has
front tooth; foretooth; incisor
order; observance; discipline; rules; law; regulations
strict; severe; stern; rigid; rigorous; tough
foreign enemy; outside invader
country; territory; domain; realm
the people; citizens; the populace
abandonment; renouncement; renunciation; resignation; abdication; surrender
agreement; concurrence; conformance; compliance
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject
there being no use in arguing (about it); not up for discussion
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
to carry on one's back; to burden oneself (e.g. with debts, responsibilities, etc.)