Vocabulary

explanation (of a text, phrase, etc.); lecture; exposition

lumbar vertebra; lumbar vertebrae

white lily

snow scene; snowscape; snowy landscape

change of attitude (stance, position)

main attraction; special feature; big draw

to crumble away; to collapse

divine grace; divine favour; blessing; answer to a prayer

holly olive (Osmanthus heterophyllus); false holly

gunfight; exchange of shots; firefight

sounding; probing; probe; stylet; spy

welling of water; spring water; spring

to be overcome with emotion

community chest

severe earthquake

to teach; to instruct

parish

rushing around; running wild

mania; wild excitement

curved surface

capital punishment; death penalty; maximum penalty; ultimate punishment

nishiki-e; multi-colour woodblock print

momentous; exigent; urgent; important; vital

to approach; to draw near

neighboring prefectures; nearby prefectures

myopia; shortsightedness; nearsightedness

local prosecutor

to reel; to wind; to spin (thread)

growing en masse in one location (of plants)

ridge of earth between rice fields

systematic

drama criticism

fierce fighting

holding another position; serving concurrently as

envoy to Tang China

decompression

to insist; to assert; to be obstinate in saying

house-to-house; door-to-door; each house

strange; wonderful; weird; outrageous; mysterious

patient; unhurried; leisurely