Vocabulary

strange tree; mysterious tree

unusual tree; rare tree; strange tree

unusual tree; strange tree; mysterious tree

Prunus spinulosa (Japanese species of prunus)

Prunus (genus of trees and shrubs)

spearflower (Ardisia japonica)

subcanopy tree; understory tree; semi-tall tree

crude wood (i.e. with many knots)

low-grade charcoal made from crude wood

shut-in; recluse

person who dislikes staying at home

anti-foreign sentiment; xenophobia; exclusionism; exclusivism

to peel off; to come off; to flake off

checca sauce (uncooked tomato sauce)

if it's alright; if you don't mind my asking; if it's all the same to you

summer sky; summery weather; clear, blazing summer weather

tethering

yikes!; eek!; ouch!; yes!; wow!; blech

intramuscular

development of the body; caring for one's body

since one was born; in one's (entire) life; in all one's life

room for growth; potential; promise

natural light

to each his own; people differ; different people (have different likes)

three-dimensionality; solidity

water pepper vinegar; vinegar infused and mixed with water pepper leaves, esp. served with salt-grilled sweetfish

Council of Social Welfare

atomizing

excuse me; pardon me

high-handed person; domineering person

ban; prohibition; interdiction; injunction

heddle; heald; part of a loom, a wire or cord with an eye, through which the warp threads are threaded

chilled syrup; soft drink of malt syrup mixed with boiling water, ginger juice, grated ginger, sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon (used as a refreshing summer drink, similar to ginger ale)

swiftly; rapidly; promptly; nimbly

shirker; goof-off; goldbricker

white Chinese phoenix; white Chinese firebird

from here; from this place

Prunus zippeliana (East Asian species of prunus)

Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus)

blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); sloe