Vocabulary

poor academic performance; underachievement

admission of university graduates to an undergraduate program

joint and several liability; each individual being responsible for the payment of his share of the purchase price, expense, etc.

learned fool; person who is book smart but lacking in common sense

individual (different) ways of doing things; being different (varied) for each item (type)

student temperament; students' way of thinking

expansion policy; road to expansion

strong feelings of loyalty to one's old school; the old school tie

disturbance tactics

false statement (misrepresentation) of one's academic career

overstressing academic background

family legend

red blossoms and green willows; beautiful scenery of spring; natural beauty; beauty of nature

complete set of household goods

being on the verge of starvation; being about to starve

everyday occurrence; commonplace of life; nothing out of the ordinary

familism; the treatment of society (an organization) as a family

blending of the classical and colloquial styles

happy family circle; sitting in a family circle and enjoying conversation; harmony in a family

making an unnecessary addition (to); gilding the lily

being full of vitality (energy); in exuberant spirits; effervescent; ebullient

using a meat ax when a knife would suffice; taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut; using a grand-scale measure (a massive instrument) to deal with an insignificant problem

addiction to the printed word; addiction to reading; reading addict; obsessive reader

join one's hands in prayer; pray with (the palms of) one's hands together

at one's sweet will; doing whatever one pleases; however one pleases

family happiness; household harmony

giving one's family life priority over one's work

safety (well-being) of one's family; peace and prosperity in the household

all one's family; one's whole family

kanazōshi; early Edo-period genre written entirely in kana or in a mixture of kana and kanji, primarily intended for women and children

kana literature; works written in kana in the Heian period

singing, dancing and music; (public) entertainment; performing arts

kabukimono; Edo-period samurai who attracted public attention with their eye-catching clothes, peculiar hairstyle, and eccentric behavior

downward adjustment; downward revision

couple who only go through the motions of being husband and wife

student who is trying to get into their preferred college while already enrolled at another college

gifted young person who shows much promise; unrecognized genius; great person whose talent is hidden under a bushel

Buddhist services in memory of those drowned in a river; offering to suffering spirits at the river

simple, easy, and convenient

life in natural setting, free from worldly cares