Vocabulary

ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum); ivy-leaved geranium

cherry tree with fragrant flowers

town order (Edo period); order issued by a shogun or daimyo affecting a whole town, and passed on by town officials

sorry; excuse me; thank you

within the bounds of common sense

yellowish red; poppy red

employee of a non-governmental or non-profit organization

spreading; infesting; running rampant

being rich; having plenty of money; wallowing in money

different letter; different character; different spelling

eating the food of the dead (which prevents return from the underworld)

film thickness; coating thickness

disciple of Basho

banana leaf

sexual prodigy; stud; Don Juan

mystery shopper

blended family; stepfamily

receiving an imperial decree; obeying an imperial decree

command sanctioned by the emperor; imperial command

imperial headquarters announcement

variation; different version; another version

agriculture, forestry and fishing industries training institute

forest tree breeding institute

mechanical-looking

tumulus; barrow; grave mound

establishment of a family registry (separate from one's parents')

notification of separation from family register; notification of creation of a new family register

business English

consolidation (esp. of a market); shakeout; rationalization

to abuse; to exploit to the full; to give free rein to

other companies in the same business; rival firms

Japanese Pharmacopoeia

drug included in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia

whitish marble (from northern Ibaraki); white limestone

(degree of) whiteness

high-ranking samurai (Edo period)

bottomless ravine; abyss

wireless-activated disaster warning system

private war

general incorporated foundation