Vocabulary

well-known and unknown; somebodies and nobodies; both famous and humble

most brave; as brave as any; unmatched for valor

major contender; strong (leading) candidate; front runner

bogus (phantom) employee

policy of reconciliation

tendency to form collusive ties; predisposition to generate cozy (collusive) relationships

beautiful face; attractive features

sheep in a tiger's skin; gimcrack; showy without real worth; all show and no substance

very cautious (watchful, vigilant); taking every possible precaution

according to circumstances; depending on the state of things; according to how the situation develops

grasping the (main) point; seizing the essence (of a matter)

having handsome and clean-cut features

four-letter word (vulgar English term, e.g. fuck)

manipulation of public opinion

bear market; bearish market; weak market

weak foreign policy; weak-kneed diplomacy

belief in the next world; belief in the hereafter

in and around the city of Kyoto

being scattered in all directions; being broken up and dispersed

blue-collar; blue-collar worker (employee)

rebels against one's lord and one's parents; rebellious (treacherous) subject; traitor

chaotic (irresponsible) management of a company

The Six Secret Teachings and The Three Strategies of Huang Shigong (two ancient Chinese military treatises)

combined (concerted) efforts; solidarity; joining forces (with)

special-interest group

meeting and parting; gathering and scattering; alignment and realignment; alternating alliance and rupture; alternating cooperation and defection

trend to move away from rural areas; rural depopulation

success in life; advancement in life; rising in the world

beautiful scenery of spring

points to note; points of concern; matters to keep in mind; matters that require attention

red-light district; pleasure quarter

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

spending all one's time in idle amusement away from home; being absorbed in self-indulgent pleasures

bizarre story (novel)

bizarre literature; literature of the bizarre

one's innate intelligence and ability

ambivalence

operations (a strategy) on two fronts; two-pronged strategy

being prepared for a theoretical (ideological) argument; being armed with theoretical backing

the system in government offices and business corporations in which draft proposals are prepared by someone in charge of the matter and circulated for collective deliberation and final approval by particular (designated) officials or executives