temple bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
leisurely; slow; deliberate; easygoing
stomach; Chinese "stomach" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
to lean against; to lean on; to recline on; to lie heavy (on the stomach); to be uneasily digested
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
the other day; lately; recently
the New Year begins; the New Year starts
a blink of time; (lit.) the time it takes to say "Ah!"
to cross over; to cross; to pass through; to exceed; to surpass; to be more (than)
(some) more; even more; longer; further
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
readiness; preparedness; resolution; resignation
aah!; ooh!; oh no!; oh boy!
change for the better; improvement; looking better (than before)
you; presence (of a god, nobleman, etc.)
(not) anything; (nothing) at all; (not) any
because ...; for ...; the reason being ...; as for ...; when it comes to ...; regarding ...
to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall); to let hang; to put on (e.g. a blanket); to put on top of; to put on (glasses, etc.); to wear (a necklace, etc.); to make (a call)
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
to open (a door, etc.); to unwrap (e.g. parcel, package); to open (for business, etc.); to empty; to remove; to move out; to clear out
please remember me; please help me; please treat me well; please do; please take care of
soba water; water left in the pot after one has boiled soba
proprietress (of a traditional Japanese inn or restaurant); landlady; hostess; mistress
small quantity; little; little while; short distance
to be late; to be delayed; to fall behind (in a race, one's studies, etc.); to lag behind; to be bereaved of; to be preceded by (someone) in death
well; properly; best regards; please remember me; just like ...; as though one were ...
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while travelling; present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift
what; you-know-what; that thing; whatsit; whachamacallit; (not) at all; (not) in the slightest
consultation; discussion; discussing; asking (somebody) for advice
and the like; such as; or something; something like; I hear that ...; people say that...
terrible; dreadful; amazing (e.g. of strength); great (e.g. of skills); to a great extent; vast (in numbers)
door (esp. Japanese-style); shutter; window shutter; (arch.) entrance (to a home); (arch.) narrows
to open; to undo; to bloom; to unfold; to open (for business, e.g. in the morning); to be wide (gap, etc.); to widen
congratulations!; well done!; best wishes!; all the best!
to be shut; to close; to be locked; to tighten; to be tightened; to become sober
to finish; to end; to merely result in something less severe than expected; to feel at ease; to feel unease or guilt for troubling someone; to be sorry
expressly; especially; taking the trouble (to do); intentionally; deliberately
to help; to assist; to aid; to contribute to; to be a factor in
one person; being alone; being by oneself; being single; being unmarried; by oneself
very; greatly; immense; enormous; serious; grave
indicate reason; infers some protest
happiness; good fortune; luck; blessing