quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
(speaking) bluntly; frankly; straightforwardly; openly; directly; unhesitantingly
to serve one's aim; to serve one's purpose
to pile up; to make a heap; to lay (e.g. bricks); to acquire (e.g. experience); to build (a reputation)
to become hoarse; to become husky
meal (esp. dinner) served in one's room (at a ryokan)
to succeed in doing; to see through; to manage to do; to finish doing
two legs; two feet; two pairs
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
show business; entertainment industry; world of entertainment
illegal donation; secret contribution
negative (result); gloomy; negative (e.g. attitude); pessimistic
solid; robust; tight; taut; shrewd; calculating
nap; short sleep; first sleep of silkworms
house; home; one's house; one's home; one's husband
very rich person; the super rich
diversionary tactics (maneuvering); disguise; hide by camouflage
successive generations; successive emperors
scattered; separated; dispersed
rise and fall; ups and downs; shame and glory; bright side and dark side; (lit.) light and shadow
toast (to someone; esp. the deceased at a post-ceremony meal); drinking to someone's health (or memory)
post; official position; managerial position; executive position
I shouldn't say this, but
to resign from one's post
working in the field in fine weather and reading at home in rainy weather; living in quiet retirement dividing time between work and intellectual pursuits
secret service (intelligence agency); Secret Service (US)
to trap (into a difficult situation); to put (in a fix); to capture (a castle, fortress, etc.); to take; to drop (something) into
front and rear; before and after; order; sequence; consequences; context
end of war; cessation of hostilities