Vocabulary

barking up the wrong tree; calling at the wrong house

bad temper; bad mood

Imperial Council

self-interested show of kindness; acting selfishly under the guise of kindness

frightful face

easy task; piece of cake; cakewalk; cinch; pushover

cake or snack served with tea

deified volcano or volcanic eruption

something thrown in (with a purchase); something extra; free gift; freebie; giveaway; premium

imperial portrait; photograph of the incumbent Emperor and Empress distributed to schools between 1890 and the end of the Second World War

review; rehearsal

immediate vassal (of the shogun; Kamakura and Muromachi periods)

family trouble (quarrel); domestic squabble

court banquet

perfunctory; apathetic; makeshift; slapdash; routine; usual

abode (of a nobleman or emperor); Imperial chamber

imperial property

imperial estate

appetizer; starter; hors d'oeuvre

pouring alcohol

haughty

monetary offering (or gift) wrapped in paper

poorly made article; defective article

opportunism; double standards; timeserving; expediency

superiors; big shots; higher-ups; VIPs; dignitaries

giving in against one's better judgment; letting someone have their way no matter how unreasonable; grudging compliance; reluctant acquiescence

poem written by the Emperor or a member of the imperial family

pilgrim's song; pilgrim's hymn; song in praise of the Buddha

notice or order handed down from above; announcement; notification

mealtime

a rice steamer

maid-in-waiting in the domestic quarters of a shogun or daimyo (Edo period)

sharing with others what has been given to you; sharing a portion of the profit with others

decorations; offerings; mere window dressing

dignitaries; very important persons; luminaries; big shots; VIPs

having no thought for; having no consideration for; having no regard for; not caring about

snack (to have with a drink); side dish

superstition; superstitious person

image (esp. of a deity, buddha, royal, noble, etc.)

granite