trying out a new sword or blade (originally on someone, but now on soaked straw targets)
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
speed; velocity; pace; velocity
upper tier; upper section; place of honor; place of honour; dais; raised part of floor
to swing downward; to bring down (one's sword, fist, etc.)
to go by; to go past; to run (between; of a rail service, bus route, etc.); to operate (between); to go indoors; to go into a room; to penetrate
unhurt; uninjured; flawless (e.g. gem); unblemished; spotless (e.g. reputation); faultless (e.g. performance)
interesting; fascinating; amusing; funny; enjoyable; fun
to one's heart's content or satisfaction
change; variation; variety; diversity; inflection; declension
to hide; to keep to oneself
ruffian; villain; peculiar person; idiosyncratic person; tricky thing; something that is more than it seems
single-mindedly; wholeheartedly; with one's heart and soul
that; the matter in question
given that ... it is only natural that ...; ... being the case, it is unavoidable that ...; (precisely) because ...; contrary to expectations ...
concentration; focusing; convergence; within a collection of works
blunt (e.g. sword); dull; lazy; cowardly; good for nothing
faint; dim; weak; poor; wretched; meagre
idle thoughts; worldly thoughts
to also be (implies that as well as the earlier stated this is also the case); to be ... or something
three qualities of a martial artist or athlete: heart, technique, strength
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first
to build up; to establish; to form; to become (a state); to accomplish; to achieve; to change into
much less; to say nothing of
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
formation; establishment; conclusion (e.g. of a deal); reaching (e.g. an agreement); being valid (of a theory, argument, etc.); holding
to do what one is told to; to take someone's advice; to listen to what someone says
to handle (men); to master (a tool); to manage; to acquire a command of (a language)
the person in question; prominent figure; distinguished person; that person
transmigration; reincarnation; metempsychosis
originally; by nature; from the start
upright; honest; faithful; conscientious; sincere
to return (something); to restore; to turn over; to turn upside down; to pay back; to retaliate; to respond (with)
one arm; one's right-hand man; one's right hand
he; she; that person; that; that one; that thing
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
self-consciousness; self-awareness
mind; spirit; attitude; mentality; spirit (of a matter); essence
somehow or other; for some reason or another; without knowing why