tenacity; persistence; obsession; implacability
picture; drawing; painting; image (TV, film, etc.); picture; footage
immersing oneself in; being absorbed in; devoting oneself to; giving oneself up entirely to
sticky; syrupy; weakly (of a flame); gently (e.g. boil); dozing off; napping
soft; tender; gentle; mild; light (topic, book, etc.); informal
stew (esp. Japanese cream stew)
kind; sort; type; similar example; parallel; the like
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
very fast; in a twinkle; before one's eyes
thrust; charge; digging into (a matter); depth; straight man (of a comedy duo); quip; gibe
fresh troops; fresh players; newcomer; new employee; new method; new way
each time it happens; at all such times
cause for headaches; pain in the neck; source of worry
wholly (due to); entirely; solely; earnestly; intently; sincerely
optimism; taking an optimistic view
consultation; question; enquiry; inquiry
man of the hour; woman of the hour
to look happy; to look pleased; to make eyes (at someone); to ogle
dying; kicking the bucket; being ruined; being finished; ending in failure
a little bit; a little while
timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish
inside one's heart; in one's mind
continuously; from beginning to end; from first to last
tobacco; cigarette; cigar; tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum)
perfect; complete; flawless
impeccable; unimpeachable; cannot be faulted; above reproach; beyond reproach; faultless
parental love; parental affection
sharing one's lot with another; being in the same boat
staring (e.g. eyes); goggling; glaring
common front; united front
(living) sacrifice; victim; scapegoat
before long; in a few days
beating someone up by ganging up on them; facing a barrage of criticism
outsider; one not included in the favored group; outside daimyo; non-Tokugawa daimyo
another; one more; (not) quite; (not) very; lacking
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
to be puffed up with pride; to throw out one's chest
association; fellowship; change (of season, year, etc.)
floral pattern; flourish; ornament; star (actor, player, etc.)
star (actor, athlete, etc.); celebrity; star (symbol); asterisk; (celestial) star
depths of Hell; abyss; inescapable situation
suddenly and precipitately; take a sudden turn
success or failure; outcome; result
revival from the brink of death; recovering from a hopeless situation; resuscitation; revitalization