to play a leading role; to play a central part
country; territory; domain; realm
protection; safeguard; shugo (Kamakura or Muromachi period military governor)
to line up; to put in a row; to add (to a group); to accept (as a member of an organization, etc.); to link; to put together
history; pedigree; lineage
(logical) true; regular; 10^40; ten thousand undecillion; original; positive
social standing of a family; lineage; parentage; good family
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
eastern direction; the Orient; eastern fighter in a match (e.g. sumo wrestling)
fertile; rich; productive
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
direct control; direct supervision
mountain; hill; mine (e.g. coal mine); heap; pile; crown (of a hat); thread (of a screw)
to surround; to encircle; to besiege; to lay siege to; to play (go, shogi, etc.)
abundant; plentiful; rich; wealthy; open (mind); relaxed
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around; having an active sex life
land near a castle; castle town
every year; yearly; annually
elegance; grace; article; item; counter for items (of food, etc.); counter for dishes or courses (at a restaurant)
to deliver; to forward; to send; to report; to notify; to file notice (to the authorities)
national isolation; closing the country (to foreigners); sakoku; policy of national isolation enacted by the Tokugawa shogunate
order; system; structure; set-up; organization; organisation
to spread out; to lay out; to take a position; to impose widely (e.g. over a city)
comparatively; relatively
unique; peculiar; singular
side; flank; profile; aspect; dimension
and so; therefore; for that reason
reliance; trust; faith; confidence
thick; deep; kind; cordial; abundant
loyalty; allegiance; fidelity
cut; clip; shear; reap; trim; prune
counter for birds, rabbits, etc.
mountain range; mountain belt
to hold between (e.g. one's fingers, chopsticks); to grip (from both sides); to put between; to sandwich between; to catch (e.g. a finger in a door); to trap; to insert (e.g. a break into proceedings)
neighbouring country; neighboring country; adjacent country
steepness; steep place; harsh (look); sharp (tongue)
(many) mountains; very much (wanting to do something one cannot); greatly; so many; a lot of
to stand side by side; to stand in a row