imperial loyalist samurai of the Bakumatsu-era; patriots; idealists willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the nation
to be astonished to hear; to be incredulous about; to express disbelief; who do you think you're kidding by saying (that); what a laugh!
being a poor loser; unwillingness to admit defeat; sour grapes
first; first base; first baseman
brave figure; valiant figure; heroic figure; gallant figure
a fight between equally great opponents; (lit.) dragon and tiger fighting one another
to loosen one's sword slightly in the scabbard
office; official; chief; head; person (usually a woman) who officiates at religious ceremonies (on the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa)
beating someone up by ganging up on them; facing a barrage of criticism
general; admiral; head; chief; old chap; mate
violent explosion; bursting
one (of a pair); incomplete; imperfect; few; little; off-centre
(one small) fine-tuning; reworking; easily beating; easily defeating
agreement; affirmative; aye; yes; OK
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot)
famous sword; excellent sword
cheap article; poor-quality article
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
inscription; epitaph; (manufacturer's) engraved signature; motto; maxim
to carve; to engrave; to sculpt; to tattoo
important cultural property; important cultural asset
cheap; rubbishy; shoddy; roughly made
other crimes; further offenses; further offences
chronic disease; chronic illness; old complaint; bad habit; intractable habit
tuberculosis; TB; concretion
investigation (e.g. by police or prosecutors); examination; inquiry; enquiry
chirashi; chirashizushi; sushi rice in a box or bowl with a variety of ingredients sprinkled on top
to recite; to chant; to read aloud
old age; age; old people; (arch.) I; (arch.) me; (arch.) my humble self
Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); Singapore
wrong; groundless; different; separate; unexpected; surprising
bad name; bad reputation; disgrace; dishonour; dishonor; stigma
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
performing without rehearsal; doing impromptu
assassin; candidate fielded by a political party to oust an incumbent of the same party
armpit; under one's arm; beside; close to; aside; to the side; off-track
sweaty; sweat-drenched; covered in sweat