raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start; beginning
laws of nature; physical laws; physics
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
to assault with a sword; to stab at; to slash at
blade; sword; forged blade; wavy pattern on forged blades; sharpness; unhulled rice
with a clashing or clanging sound
dull sound; muffled sound
sword skills; swordsmanship
technique; art; skill; move
hooting; jeering; heckling
short distance; close range
beat; palpitation; pulsation; throbbing
weapons; arms; fighting with swords; sword fight
bleachers; grandstand; spectator seating
to run out of breath; to get breathless; to get puffed (out)
tightly; tautly; (springing, straightening) up; suddenly; intuitively; instinctively
spot; point; place; position
bomb blast; blast (from an explosion); shock wave
the situation reverses itself; the table is turned; the shoe is on the other foot
presence; dignity; corpulence; obesity
speaking of ...; as for ...
popular name; common name; given name
spoils of war; booty; war trophy; something one managed to obtain or buy (at a bargain sale, merchandise stall, etc.); purchases; prizes (at an arcade, etc.)
nothing new; same as always; an old story; nothing new about it; not the first time it has happened
one's specialty; one's forte; specialty of a kabuki school
heavy work; manual labour; feat of strength
zip it!; shut it!; be quiet!; I'll shut up
inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation
champion of justice; knight in shining armor; crime avenger; hero; super hero
to knock down; to shoot down; to lop off
to draw an arc (e.g. with a compass); to describe an arc (e.g. through the air); to form an arc
cheers; applause; ovation; acclamation
unthinking; thoughtless; heedless; inconsiderate
just what you'd expect from ...; that's just like (him, her, etc.); that's (exactly) why ...; that's (precisely) the reason ...
by sheer strength; by brute force
in tatters; in pieces; wiped out
all one's strength; desperate effort; (lit.) strength one has when ready to die
to stop (someone) by throwing one's arms around them; to catch (someone) in one's arms; to hold (someone) back
one by one; one at a time; in turn
to blow (on); to breathe (on); to pick (a fight); to provoke; to exaggerate; to ask (an unreasonable price)
to one's heart's content; to one's complete satisfaction; as much as one likes; heartily; thoroughly; without restraint