close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
comparatively; relatively; unexpectedly; unusually; considering; for one's ...
plain; unaffected; natural; unpretentious; frank; candid
keeping things tidy and in order
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
to fall down; to drop; to be omitted; to be missing; to decrease; to sink; to fail (e.g. exam or class)
polite; courteous; civil; careful; close; thorough
twelve o'clock; noon; midnight
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
low table; table with very short legs
to encamp; to take up positions
to hit; to strike; to strike (noon, etc.); to sound (cymbals, etc.); to beat (rhythmically, e.g. pulse, waves, etc.); to move; to impress
to work hard; to make an effort
concentration; focusing; convergence; within a collection of works
half-hearted reply; vague answer; reluctant answer
towards (a destination); for the purpose of; with the goal of; targeting (a group, a demographic)
work; operation; manufacturing; fatigue duty
strange; odd; peculiar; queer; curious
contemporary literature; modern literature
to translate; to interpret
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
(idle) curiosity; fancifulness; whimsy; (having) strange tastes
echo; reverberation; response; reaction; repercussions
all over Japan; throughout Japan
intention; idea; inclination; wish
left and right; right and left; (asserting) control; influence; one's attendants; people accompanying one
intention; plan; belief; assumption; estimate; estimation
sometime; someday; one day; some time or other; the other day; in due course
slim; slender; slight; delicate
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
nonconformist; dissenter; maverick; enfant terrible
friction; discord; strife
to tease; to make fun of; to poke fun at; to make a crack about; to chaff; to kid
with ... as a start; taking advantage of; inspired by
to flap (wings); to spread one's wings; to go out into the world