Vocabulary

trivial; minor; insignificant; peripheral

degenerate age; corrupt world

fruit grown near the tip of the vine (hence stunted and unripe)

fruit near end of the vine; weak-looking fellow

to have the honour of being present (at a meeting, etc.); to have the honour of being a member (of a society, etc.); to soil the lowest seat by one's presence

minor details; nonessentials

all ages to come; all generations; eternity

youngest son

the last days; the final years; the last generation

sect; underling

underling; rank and file

last but not least; finally

latter days of the law (one of the three ages of Buddhism); age of the degeneration of the law

pessimism due to decadent-age theory

promising (future)

low-ranking official

until (a time); till; to; up to

to spin a cocoon

price of a cocoon

New Year's decoration with cocoon-shaped cakes

pongee (unbleached silk)

I; me

completely; absolutely; totally

very much; fully

to provide against contingencies; to prepare for the worst

general store; general dealer

many changes

many articles

many scrolls; many books

all places; all circumstances

immense sum (of money); ten thousand yen

April Fools' Day

many armies; many troops; vast army

versatility

many words

perpetuity; eternity

all houses; many houses

(mouths of) many people

world history

universal time