Vocabulary

dubious; doubtful; of unknown authenticity

inscrutable stratagem; ingenious scheme

trials and tribulations; adversities; suffering hardships and troubles

hardships and joys; tasting the sweets and bitters of life; being well-versed in the ways of the world (having seen much of life)

inscrutable stratagem; ingenious scheme

merit (ability, efficiency) rating; employee performance evaluation

imagined landscape; scenery in one's mind's eye

stabilizing the feelings of the people; inspiring confidence among the people

radically change public sentiment; leading the thought of the people to an entirely different channel

feeling refreshed in mind and body

facets (aspects) of (human) life; the pattern of (one's) life

one's family and relatives; one's kith and kin

relatives and old friends

probe into the truth (of the matter); dig into the real facts of the case; get at the root of a matter

deep psyche; unconscious mind; depth psychology

quick and decisive; fast and daring; swift and resolute

one's course of action; deciding what to do with oneself, whether staying in the present position or leaving it

a question of whether or not someone should resign

being driven to the wall; finding oneself between the devil and the deep blue sea; finding oneself between a rock and a hard place

scrutiny; careful (close) examination (investigation); careful inquiry; careful selection

outrage against humanity

unity of rider and horse

daimyo of a feudal domain owned by a Tokugawa family branch

synthesis of Shintoism and Buddhism

character sketch; comments on personalities

separation of Buddhism and Shintoism (government policy during the beginning of the Meiji period)

chiefly on the basis of someone's personal character

knowledge gained (information acquired) from newspapers

appointment or dismissal conjecturally reported in the media (esp. when the conjecture turned out to be wrong); announcement of an appointment that turns out to be mere press speculation

ethics and morality

worship with adoration; ardent admiration

nucleus (of a project proposal, of a social movement, etc.)

avid desire; drooling over (something); watering at the mouth

rigid (stereotypical) thinking that adheres to preconceived notions; vertical thinking; linear thinking

epiphenomenon

tipsy lurch; reeling gait; staggering gait

superiority in number; numerical superiority

careless (slipshod) and with many omissions

clearheadedness; sharpness of mind

currying of political favor; buying political influence