to close one's eyes; to lower one's eyelids; to shut one's eyes; to die; to breathe one's last
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
chapter one; first chapter
instantly; immediately; equals; means; oneness (of two opposing things); inseparability
solution (of an equation, inequality, etc.); root (e.g. of a polynomial); solution (to a given problem); answer; explanation; interpretation
one; 1; best; first; foremost; beginning; start
that day; the very same day
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
dropping in on the way; stopping off at; making a side trip; going the long way round; making a detour
for; for the sake of; to one's advantage; because of; as a result of
splendid; nice; sufficient; fine (in the sense of "I'm fine"); well enough; OK
to persevere; to persist; to insist that; to stick to (one's opinion); to remain in a place; to stick to one's post
still; as yet; (not) yet; more; (more) still; at least
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
the Rabbit (fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Hare; hour of the Rabbit (around 6am, 5-7am, or 6-8am); east; second month in the lunar calendar
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to be separated; to be apart; to leave; to go away; to leave (a job, etc.); to quit
cold (e.g. weather); uninteresting (esp. joke); lame; dull
neck; head; dismissal; discharge
to curl oneself up; to squeeze oneself in; to be huddled
to get used to; to grow accustomed to; to become skilled in; to become experienced at; to become tame; to become domesticated
sword (esp. Japanese single-edged); katana; scalpel; chisel; burin; knife money (knife-shaped commodity money used in ancient China)
trouble; hardship; difficulty; anxiety; worry; concern
while doing over and over; repeatedly
lower back; waist; hips; body (of hair, noodle, paper, etc.); resilience; spring
to wear (sword, decoration, etc.); to carry; to be entrusted (e.g. with a mission); to take on; to have a trace of; to be tinged with
heavy; weighty; heavy (feeling); depressed; slow; sluggish; important (position, responsibility, etc.)
to feel giddy; to totter; to be unfixed (emotions, beliefs, etc.); to waver; to wander aimlessly; to loiter
to sing someone's praises; to give someone a boost; (lit.) to carry a lantern
residence; estate; grounds; premises; mansion
to leave; to exit; to leave (on a journey); to depart; to move forward; to come to; to get to
Edo Castle (residence of the Shogun during the Edo period, now the site of the Tokyo Imperial Palace)
large number (of); many; majority
emperor (of Japan); mikado; (the gates of an) imperial residence
the sixth hour of the morning
to step aside; to move (i.e. out of the way); to make way
bell (often a large hanging bell); chime
to open; to undo; to bloom; to unfold; to open (for business, e.g. in the morning); to be wide (gap, etc.); to widen
day; days; sun; sunshine; (the) day; daytime; date
high; tall; expensive; high-priced; high (level); above average (in degree, quality, etc.)
standard; basis; criterion; norm; reference; datum
to ring; to sound; to be popular; to be esteemed; to state; to insist
natural; right; proper; naturally; as a matter of course; rightly