(ancient) Japan; Yamato kingdom; Yamato (former province located in present-day Nara Prefecture); Yamato (battleship)
famous sword; sword blade by Masamune; sake; Japanese rice wine; brand of sake from Nada region during Tenpō era (1830-1844)
sword (esp. Japanese single-edged); katana; scalpel; chisel; burin; knife money (knife-shaped commodity money used in ancient China)
as was expected; just as one thought; sure enough; really; actually; ever
secret technique; secret art
Japanese clothing; being dressed in a kimono; Japanese-style bookbinding
friendly; openhearted; sociable; amiable; good-humored; good-humoured
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit; use
Michel; Michele; Michele; Michelle
bomb blast; blast (from an explosion); shock wave
destructive power; destructive energy; destructive force
warm; comfortable; snug; cozy; cosy; pleasant
sudden change; complete change
spirit of a true craftsman; artisan spirit; pride in one's craft
parenthood; parent or someone with children on the way (esp. an expecting mother); (of a fish) containing roe (eggs)
captive; prisoner; victim (of love, etc.); slave (to one's lust, etc.)
polish; burnishing; improvement; becoming more skilled
yuan (monetary unit of China)
special lecturer; guest lecturer
abundant harvest; bumper crop
lead; leading; leading (in points, goals, etc.); getting ahead; lead (from a base); lead (of an article); lede
to take a view or perspective; to regard as; to consider to be
courteous; decorous; polite
thorn; spine; splinter (esp. lodged in one's flesh); hard sharp item (esp. lodged in one's throat, e.g. fish bone); biting words
feeling good; feeling pleasant
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant; ordinary; normal; regular
white (complexion); fair-skinned
handsome young man; Adonis
sexy; popular; well-liked
hold; catch; connection; relationship; unease; discomfort
appreciation (of art, music, poetry, etc.)
to see through (a lie, scheme, etc.); to see into (someone's mind); to read (someone's true feelings); to penetrate
sunny spot; exposure to the sun
pottery; earthenware; ceramics; (soft-paste) porcelain; china
grabbing hold; eagle grip; tight hold
to express in a refined fashion; to weave a web of words
since; for the past ... (e.g. ten years); this person; this gentleman
bravery; military prowess; valour; valor
to be defeated; to be beaten; to be unsuccessful; to lose