ukiyo-e; ukiyoe; Edo-period woodblock print
worthless; insignificant; unimportant; poor; miserable; wretched
mantra; Shingon sect (of Buddhism)
point (of a sword, etc.); pointed verbal attack
double-edged; double-edged blade
dilettante; person of fantastic taste
increase in activity; activation
to commit seppuku; to commit harakiri; to take responsibility (and resign); (arch.) to laugh until one splits one's side
near one's knee; (by) one's side; (at) one's hand; place under the protection (of one's parents, etc.); (under) the care (of); territory of a powerful person
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
parroting back; repeating (something one was told) like a parrot
timidly; nervously; hesitantly; trembling (with fear)
mountain top; summit; peak
unreliable; uncertain; indefinite; unclear
to pass the peak (of something); to get through the most difficult part; to be over the worst (e.g. an illness); to cross a pass
hurrying (to somewhere); rushing; hastening; express (train)
leaving somebody behind; abandoning someone; marooning someone
to be late; to be delayed; to fall behind (in a race, one's studies, etc.); to lag behind; to be bereaved of; to be preceded by (someone) in death
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
pearls thrown before swine; unused possession; useless possession; waste of talent
scrutiny; scanning; taking a good look
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
remarkable; striking; brilliant; splendid; spectacular; wonderful
number; edition; sobriquet; pen-name; size (of printing types, canvases, knitting needles, etc.); suffix attached to names of ships, trains, airplanes, etc.
to ask for trouble; to dig your own grave; to cut your own throat
to miss each other; to cross (in the post); to go astray; to go wrong
for better or worse; luckily or unluckily
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
to keep an eye on; to keep a watchful eye on
slight; light; thin; faint; dim
real thing; original; actual
making something strong even stronger; solidifying something's chances; (lit.) (giving) a metal rod to an ogre
casting pearls before swine; (lit.) (giving) a gold coin to a cat
it's OK to ...; it's best to ...; it's alright to ...
to force (someone) to take part; to take along unwillingly
cheap; rubbishy; shoddy; roughly made
to take into consideration; to bear in mind
to pitch forward; to fall forward
lessening; diminishing; reducing