difficult to ...; hard to ...
lack of sleep; insufficient sleep
though; even if; whether ... or ...
breathing; respiration; knack; trick; harmony; balance
hard (on the ears); offensive (to the ear); rasping; rough; harsh; grating
first day (e.g. at work, school); day one
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
in appearance; to look at; judging from appearances
cat (esp. the domestic cat, Felis catus); shamisen; geisha; wheelbarrow; clay bed-warmer; bottom; submissive partner of a homosexual relationship
to glare at each other; to confront each other
to grumble; to gripe; to complain
construction; building; putting up; erecting; creation; formulation
solemn; sublime; grand; magnificent; impressive
decoration; ornament; trimmings
lattice; latticework; window bars; grid; grating
interval; break; pause; spare moment
verdant; fresh and green; bright green; lush
to grow thickly; to be in full leaf; to be rampant; to luxuriate; to be luxurious
to cover a surface; to spread all over; to blanket; to lay
to stretch; to extend; to straighten out; to be flattened; to spread (of paint, cream, etc.); to stretch out (e.g. of a hand); to extend
beyond that point; after that
splendid; fine; praiseworthy; creditable; legal; legitimate
school building; schoolhouse
to perceive; to grasp (the situation)
club activities; extracurricular activities
here and there; in twos and threes; sporadically; now and then; from time to time; occasionally
distinguished family; noted family; family status in the Imperial Court; master (of a craft); expert
sons and daughters; children; girl
leading; foremost; preeminent; outstanding; one of the best
quarrel; dispute; argument
to stop; to cease; to come to an end; to cut off