Vocabulary

crows and herons

the four stages of existence: birth, life, death, and limbo

the instant of birth (rebirth)

the instant of death

bardo; state (or period) of intermediate existence between one's death and rebirth (in Japan, 49 days)

Mongolia (country)

state (or period) of life

(approx.) six o'clock (am or pm, old time system)

(approx.) four o'clock (am or pm, old time system)

two o'clock (old time system)

the six historical styles of writing kanji: large seal, small seal, clerical, triangular-swept clerical, running, and cursive

large seal script (dating from China's Spring and Autumn period onward)

small seal script (arising during China's Warring States period)

obstetric care

midwife

to become distinct

with a single flash of light; glitteringly; sparklingly; twinklingly

tough negotiations; forceful negotiations

aggressive negotiations; hard-line bargaining

answers in the Diet

championship; defense (e.g. of a position in debate); apologetics

Budget Committee (of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Diet)

Budget Committee of the lower house of the Diet

Budget Committee of the upper house of the Diet

Budget Committee of the upper house of the Diet

Budget Committee of the lower house of the Diet

increase in income and profit

Budget Committee (of the Diet)

waiting to see one's opponent's move before doing anything (e.g. as a disallowed act in rock, paper, scissors)

obstetrician

perinatal period

votive objects for a home shrine; ritual article

good bye; I'm off; see you later

classical form of i-adjective inflection (attributive form ends in "ki" and predicative in "shi")

classical form of i-adjective inflection formed by contraction of the "ku" adverbial form with the classical verb "ari" ("aru")

moving slowly (and dull-wittedly)

quickly, suddenly (while one is watching); before one's eyes

being a mystery (due to conflicting testimony); being unknown; in a grove

always; forever

to fade something by overwashing it