unable to leave the work at hand; right in the middle of something; tied up; busy
it's been a long time; long time no see
to obey respectfully; to humble oneself; to sit straight (upright, respectfully, attentively)
to pinch; to hold (between one's fingers); to pick up and eat; to snack on; to pick out (the main point); to summarize
chair; stool; post; office; position
out of the question; outrageous; impossible; irrelevant; not pertinent
charge; rush; dash; assault; attack
to catch one's breath; to gulp; to have one's breath taken away; to gasp
to persist in; to carry out; to have one's own way; to push through; to carry through
night stall; night shop; night fair
Star Festival (held in July or August); Tanabata; Festival of the Weaver
cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
okonomiyaki; savoury pancake containing meat or seafood and vegetables
tool; means; ingredients (added to soup, rice, etc.); counter for sets of armor, utensils, furniture, etc.
yakisoba; fried noodles, usu. with vegetables and meat
takoyaki; octopus dumplings
trembling; getting nervous; excited; thrilled
lottery; lot; raffle; draw
string; cord; man who is financially dependent on a woman; gigolo; restrictions; conditions
gift; premium; prize (lottery drawing, pachinko, etc.); party favor (favour)
master; teacher; stable master
deep in the mountains; mountain recesses
dark history; dark past; something one wants to forget or pretend never happened
relationship of mutual trust; fiduciary relation
to deliver; to forward; to send; to report; to notify; to file notice (to the authorities)
puncture; flat tyre (tire); blowout; bursting; overflowing; being jammed (e.g. phone lines)
hurriedly; in a hurry; in haste; (arch.) sudden
to deepen; to heighten; to intensify
progress; being under way
(suffer) deterioration; growing worse; aggravation; degeneration; corruption
unveiling; debut; introduction
name; title; appellation; (under the) pretext (of); pretense
favour; favor; favourite; favorite; patron; supporter
several (objects, usu. from two to six)
link (e.g. in a chain of events); part (of a plan, campaign, activities, etc.); monocyclic
rather; sooner; preferably
to one's heart's content; as much as one wants; as hard as one can; resolution; decisiveness; determination
bonds (between people); (emotional) ties; relationship; tether; fetters
to make a display of; to show off; to flaunt
parade float; festival float
Kanto Festival (Akita); street light