fighting with real swords; game played in real earnest
competing in earnest (esp. in sumo)
well-known only to those in the know; well-known but to the few; well-known to a connoisseur
to be easily mistaken for (something else); to be indistinguishable from; to look just like; (arch.) to intermingle; (arch.) to be in disorder; (arch.) to be in disarray
vulgar; in poor taste; cheap; low-brow
plating (chrome, gold, silver, etc.); coating; gilding; pretense; pretence; simulation
sad fate; tragic doom; ill fate
genius; prodigy; natural gift
astounding; startling; world-shaking; amazing; earth-shattering
to use up (all one's strength, ideas, etc.); to exert oneself; to do one's best
to investigate thoroughly; to research thoroughly; to master; to understand completely
young and energetic; up-and-coming; new and excellent; newly produced; up-and-comer
ace up one's sleeve; trump card; secret skills; secret; (arch.) left hand
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
(yarn) count; nth place (in a race); nth position (in a starting lineup); nth rank (in a battle formation); castle guard; second-place horse
to catch (a wild animal or fish); to capture; to hunt; to win (a title, prize, etc.); to conquer
conversion; shift; about-face; switch
unshapely; ill-formed; misshapen; awkward; clumsy
(facial) expression (esp. fierce, fearless, sinister, etc.); look
to go through; to pierce; to penetrate; to stick to (opinion, principles, etc.); to carry out; to persist with
fascination; captivation; charm; lure; allurement
ability to think up names; knack for naming things
flagship (product, company, etc.); (naval) flagship
geisha; professional female entertainer, usu. at traditional banquets
to load (with goods, cargo); to put on board; to stow aboard
all the time; every single time; thank you (for your continued patronage)
enthusiast; mania; enthusiasm
foreigner; foreign citizen; foreign national; alien; non-Japanese
naming (esp. of a commercial product or company); branding
government and municipal offices; public agencies
grilling on a skewer; spit-roasting
having one's hands full; not having any room to do more; at the limit
camouflage; disguise; pretense; feigning; masquerade
installation; mounting; furnishing; run (on a bank); bank run
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
protest; refutation; pleading
treatment (of a person); dealing with