Vocabulary

having great hopes for (someone's future); expecting much of; pinning one's hopes on

meal ticket

politics; political manoeuvre; political maneuver

tone of voice

union; joining

moderation; self-restraint; temperance

former wife; late wife

religious mission; religious proclamation

undivided attention; concentration

pig iron

prostate (gland)

sniper; sharpshooter

way of playing (an instrument); style of playing; playing technique

zori; traditional Japanese thonged sandals

manor; demesne

provisions

next seat; adjacent seat

sneer; derision; scornful laugh; cold smile

decorum; propriety; politeness

renga (early Japanese poetry form); linked verse; poetic dialogue

Japanese clothing; being dressed in a kimono

(bearing a) close resemblance; vivid reminder (e.g. of the past)

cosmic dual forces; yin and yang; sun and moon, etc.

ice water

all things; all creation

abalone; ear shell

container; case; receptacle

buyer; purchaser

clam digging (at low tide); clamming; shellfish gathering

reasons; circumstances

taking the initiative

15th day of the 8th lunar month

capture (of a suspect, criminal, etc.); arrest

sewing needle

surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard

germination; germ; sprout

frame for drying clothes; clotheshorse

splitting the cost; splitting the bill; Dutch treat

soft pitch

(a person's) appearance; looks