cotton plant (Gossypium spp.); batting; wadding; padding
Sunday; day (of the month); counter for days; Japan
crawling on the ground; shuffling on one's knees; cripple
Shinshū (alt. name of former Shinano province)
good-quality; superior in quality
house to house; door to door
prosperity; thriving; flourishing
to exert oneself; to devote oneself to
to gain nothing; to be of no benefit; to be no use; to be unprofitable
thoughtless; rash; hasty; imprudent
to insert; to put in (such that there is a snug fit); to have sex; to fuck; to pigeonhole (into a particular category); to place a ring-shaped object around something (esp. one that restricts freedom, such as handcuffs)
to compete ruthlessly; (lit.) to sharpen swords
receiving; acceptance; reception
in the end; after all is said and done; (lit.) when the striped mullet is fully grown
to impress; to move one's heart; to touch (a person's heart)
like that; that way; thus
to speak badly (of); to speak ill (of); to bad-mouth
gentle breeze; soft wind; breath of air; zephyr
to take notice (of); to pay attention (to)
to listen again; to ask again
to gain an advantage; to enjoy an advantage; to turn the tables (on)
bamboo steamer; steaming basket; wooden frame holder with reed base used to steam food over a pot; soba served on a small wickerwork tray; wickerwork tray (for serving soba)
bamboo sheath; bamboo peel
the four cardinal directions; north, east, south and west; surroundings; many countries; the whole world; all around; here and there
skylight; dormer; transom; dormer window
whip; lash; scourge; stick; cane; rod
haggardness; emaciation; wasting away; being tired out; being worn out; exhaustion
to eat; to live; to make a living; to bite; to sting (as insects do); to tease; to torment
bundle; package; parcel; counter for wrapped objects
astonishment; amazement; surprise; fright; shock