Vocabulary

strongly attached to each other; inseparable

making a swift decision; making immediate decisions and taking quick actions

too many options making selection difficult; truth being hard to find as paths to it proliferate

sentimental; being full of emotions; having tender sensibilities

big fuss over nothing; much cry and little wool; much ado about nothing

clear weather after a typhoon has passed

shouting in a thunderous voice; blustering out

big portly man

simple and clear; plain and simple

intimate friends and acquaintances

having both wisdom and courage

shilly-shally; hesitation; indecision; vacillation

having an eye to the big picture; being aware of the general situation

tall and lean figure; tall and slender figure

calm, cool, and collected; level and calm

rare delicacies; rare treat

do-or-die resistance; resistance to the bitter end

licensed; chartered; officially allowed; legitimate

common knowledge; widely known; known to everybody

natural disaster

being in a towering rage; boiling with rage

the greatest of the day

shallow-minded mouthing of secondhand information

self-reliance; acting according to one's own ideas and beliefs

acting according to one's own beliefs, being undisturbed by others

gentle on the outside but tough on the inside; an iron hand in a velvet glove

meat and matrimony (Buddhism); Buddhist priest eating meat dishes and being married

being deep in prayer; praying devoutly to Amida Buddha

very involved and troublesome situation; complicated twists and turns

faraway lands; voyage to faraway lands

breaking into a hearty laugh

reviling; vilification; abusive language; lashing someone using abusive language; speaking abusively of someone

overdone politeness; polite to a fault; feigned politeness

being widely read and having a highly retentive memory

incompetent cabinet minister; figurehead minister

superficial knowledge; half knowledge

stratagem for causing a rift in the enemy camp by using a seditious plot

return of the land and people from the feudal lords to the Emperor

loud criticism; torrent of criticism; fierce denouncement (from many people); uproarious outcry

fine wines and prized delicacies