Vocabulary

to thin out (plants, seedlings, crops, etc.); to cull

to escape being burned (esp. of a building or the items in it); to survive a fire

to push down; to press down; to force down; to depress

shiba inu (dog breed); shiba; brushwood dog

tricky wrestler; shrewd fellow

induced explosion; secondary explosion

making a connection (with Buddha)

oracle bone script

Satsuma and Chōshū (clan alliance)

doctor of literature

to consign to oblivion

flexure; bending

baked sweet goods (e.g. Danish pastry, melon bread); sweet pastry; sweet bread

local public body

one's best form

evergreen (glossy-leaved) forest

exiting a room

safety pin

anion

family doctor; family physician; general practitioner; GP

sweetness and saltiness; salted and sweetened taste

Environmental Dispute Coordination Commission

tatami-matted

great swordsman; master fencer

misemono; type of Edo- and Meiji-period side show often held outdoors or in small temporarily erected shacks on temple and shrine grounds

to follow (someone's) example; to imitate; to copy; to pattern oneself on

primitive man

to begin to say; to start talking; to broach (a matter); to bring up; to come out with

to talk back; to answer back; to retort; to reply; to respond

to sense; to perceive; to notice; to discern; to become aware of

number of words

mistranslation

misuse; incorrect use; abuse; malapropism

(metal) cap

empress (consort); queen (consort)

to get late; to advance; to wear on

A-grade; first-class

imperial princess

hardness; stiffness

making a killing; making easy money