to raise one's hand; to surrender; to raise one's hand to someone (as a threat to strike); to become better (at something); to improve; to throw one's hat in the ring
farming; agriculture; cultivation
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
to have full knowledge (of something); to know something thoroughly
as was expected; just as one thought; sure enough; really; actually; ever
substantial; real (as opposed to nominal)
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
top; top position; senior management; senior bureaucrat
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
reaffirmation; reconfirmation; revalidation
martial arts which involve fighting without weapons; combat sport; one-on-one fighting sport
instantly; immediately; equals; means; oneness (of two opposing things); inseparability
having in mind; happening to know of; idea
to be too numerous; to be too much
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
carefully; attentively; profoundly; deeply; at length
to mark the end; to spell the end
end of work day; end of school term; end of school year
deplorable; regrettable; disappointing; vexing; unfortunate
one scene; one frame; one shot; one cell; one panel (comic)
sense; sensation; feeling; intuition
to worry about (someone's welfare or comfort); to feel anxious about; to have apprehensions of
difference; variation; difference
to act as an intermediary; to step in; to come between; to intervene; to interject
vague; ambiguous; shady; disreputable; fuzzy
insincere smile; ingratiating smile; polite smile; forced smile
satisfaction; pride; one's strong point; one's forte; regular customer; regular client
Nagano (city, prefecture)
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
coming out; emerging; being born into (a certain family); being a native of (a particular place)
father and mother; parents
fate; chance; relationship; tie