after an interval of ... years; for the first time in ... years
with a clink (of metal); with a chink
metallic sound; metallic clank
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to glitter; to glisten; to sparkle; to twinkle; to glare; to gleam
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
to intend; to be sure that
these days; nowadays; recently
person with a lot of experience; old hand; veteran (in a particular field)
to jump at the chance; to accept an offer; to show interest in; to accept a proposal
similarly; same (idea); same (name)
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
from the bottom of one's heart; heartily; sincerely
acquisition; obtaining; coming to hand
to strain (one's ears, eyes); to prick up (one's ears)
at once; immediately; without delay; promptly
to begin; to set about; to start
actual place; actual location; the spot; place where one is currently living
den; haunt; hangout; nest; lair
to knit one's brows (in discomfort, unease, disapproval, etc.); to raise one's eyebrows; to frown; to scowl
transport; transportation
exclusion; removal; rejection; elimination; abatement; lifting (sanctions, etc.)
smelting furnace; blast furnace
maintenance; servicing; putting in place; establishment; development
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
large number (of); many; majority
cleaning up; sweeping up; mopping up
since when; from when; how long
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
coal mine; (coal) pit; colliery
recruitment; invitation; raising (funds, donations, etc.); collection; flotation (of shares, loans, etc.)
re-; again; repeated; deutero-; deuto-; deuter-
agreement; consent; same opinion; same view; same meaning
simultaneous; concurrent; same time; synchronous; together
moving forward (e.g. vehicle); onward movement; advance (work, procedure, etc.); advancement; progress (of a disease); disease progression
knowledge; awareness; consent; acceptance; forgiving; pardoning
to look up (at); to look up to; to respect; to ask for (e.g. guidance); to seek; to depend on
to attack; to assault; to assail
class; order; et cetera; etc.; equal; iso-
number of persons; personnel