iris (flower); Siberian iris (Iris sanguinea); (arch.) sweet flag (Acorus calamus); (arch.) calamus
posture; pose; position; attitude; approach; stance
never mind that; don't worry about that; listen up
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
to be blurred (due to motion; of a photo, video, etc.); to be shaken (of a camera); to waver (in one's beliefs, policy, etc.); to shift (position); to be slightly off
swordsman; swordswoman; fencer
to sharpen; to grind; to whet; to hone; to make keen
grace; refinement; elegance; daintiness
front; frontage; facade; main
to nod; to bow one's head in assent; to agree
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
war; battle; campaign; (arch.) troops; (arch.) forces
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first
how many times; how many degrees (temperature, angle, etc.)
to turn; to revolve; to visit several places; to function well; to pass a certain time
indicate reason; infers some protest
Osaka (city); (arch.) large hill
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
entrance door; front door; gateway (to a region, etc.)
in; at; on; as for; regarding; with regards to
samurai; warrior; military family
capital (esp. Kyoto, Japan's former capital); seat of government; capital (of music, fashion, etc.); city (e.g. of light); location of the Imperial Palace
to open; to undo; to bloom; to unfold; to open (for business, e.g. in the morning); to be wide (gap, etc.); to widen
different school (e.g. of ikebana)
new; neo-; newness; novelty; Gregorian calendar; Xin dynasty (China, 9-23 CE)
to give a glance (at); to take one look at
extravagant; absurd; unbelievable; enormous; tremendous; extraordinary
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
energy; vigour; vigor; liveliness; spirit; life
seeming to be; appearing to be; like; similar to; in order to (e.g. meet goal); so that
to bend; to curve; to turn; to be awry; to be askew
before long; soon; almost; nearly; finally; in the end
side street (often parallel to a main street); back street; alley; alleyway
heat; hot air; enthusiasm; excitement; fever
to push; to press; to apply pressure from above; to press down; to stamp (i.e. a passport); to apply a seal; to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
teahouse; (Edo period) rest stop; (geisha) teahouse; establishment where patrons are entertained by geisha; tea house (that sells tea); tea dealer
to take notice (of); to pay attention (to)
tea (usu. green); tea break (at work); tea ceremony
poison; toxicant; harm; evil influence; ill will; spite
worry; fear; anxiety; concern
to sit; to squat; to assume (a position); to hold steady; to hold still