Vocabulary

to copy (down); to transcribe

firm name; trade name

light snow

anecdote

village headman (esp. in the Kansai region)

stature; height

to reheat; to steam over

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

meal ticket

to shake out

to soak; to dip; to steep; to immerse

to raise (esp. overhead); to brandish (e.g. sword); to flourish

germination; germ; sprout

to make sure of; to ascertain; to see with one's own eyes; to watch to the end; to watch to make sure (that)

frame for drying clothes; clotheshorse

splitting the cost; splitting the bill; Dutch treat

embodiment; manifestation; materialization; materialisation; expression; indication

dull; slow; stupid; dull-brained

terse; concise; simple and clear

great admiration; deep respect

inspection; examination; survey

travelling (a long and difficult journey) on foot; walking (all the way) across; travelling through; hiking across; traversing

weak constitution; ill health

seasoning; flavoring; flavouring

(beautiful) scenery; natural beauty

fertile; productive; fruitful

critic; reviewer

clerical script (ancient, highly angular style of kanji)

blockhead!; you

anxiously; with anxious looks; with anxiety

subterranean rumbling; earth tremor

daily food; regular diet; staple food

ulcer

California (state)

to get worked up; to be eager (enthusiastic); to rouse oneself

collapsing in the middle of a bout

inscription

to make one's rounds; to patrol

secret messenger

national flag of Japan