national isolation; closing the country (to foreigners); sakoku; policy of national isolation enacted by the Tokugawa shogunate
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
return present; return gift; something done in return (as way of thanks); retaliation; revenge
to be main; to be principal; to be important
unrefined (character, manners); mean; vulgar; bad taste; lacking style
back; rear; background; backdrop; backing; support; going backwards
unnecessary trouble brought upon oneself; stirring up a hornet's nest
to deal a blow in return; to hit back; to punch back; to reject; to send back
to keep face; to save face; to not lose face
honour; honor; dignity; prestige; reputation; appearances
winning over; placation; gentle persuasion
upward compatible; forward compatible; downward compatible; backward compatible; providing the same function while being less effective (esp. in games)
in either case (used specifically in the instance of two possible outcomes or situations); either way; one way or another
overhasty; rash; premature
freedom of information; access to information; disclosure of information (e.g. by the government); releasing information (of an organization or an individual); making public
imperial court; royal court
(wanting something so badly that) one can almost taste it; (lit.) a hand reaches out from one's throat
all the way ... (to this remote place); as far as ...
absolutely; positively; decidedly
firing line; position where one is subject to questioning, criticism, etc.; in front of a flying arrow (fired by the enemy)
matter of the highest priority; top priority; first priority
common knowledge; being well-known; making (something) well-known
to poke fun at; to make fun of; to send up
difference in temperature; difference in degrees of enthusiasm (interest, commitment, etc.); difference in attitude
starting; inauguration; launch; founding; establishment; start-up
to become public; to become known; to come out in the open; to be formal; to be official
(involving) payment; (involving) compensation; paying a fee
manual laborer; manual labourer
daily employment; hiring by the day; day laborer; day labourer
bare livelihood; subsistence
from here; from this place
daily allowance; daily wages
awesome; amazing; incredible; a lot; absolutely
to have the privilege of doing
safekeeping; temporary custody; claim check; deposit receipt; matter left undecided; unresolved issue
procedure; process; proceedings; formalities
cooperation; tie-up; joint business; partnership; alliance; sponsorship
interest (on a deposit, loan, etc.)