hold and use (a weapon or tool).

the ronin, who had forgotten their code of honor but not how to wield their long curved swords.

extreme scarcity of food.

now for nearly five years there had been a famine.

a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.

"his only son is a fool masquerading as a puppeteer,to be sure, but how long can a travesty endure."

 portable heater consisting of a pan or stand for holding lighted coals.

"the back door was slid open, and he could see isako on all fours, blowing at the charcoal in the brazier,"

the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

" but the pupet masters face was a mask of serenity."

a dishonest or unprincipled man.

"it is always bad to be a thief, whether your name is furukawa the rice merchant or saburo the rogue."

cautious and surreptitious action or movement.

he packed his few pieces of clothing and stealthil made his way out onto the front steps."

make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it.

"the samurai blood hat flowed through my ancestors veins has been ever more diluted,the farther we come from the swrode bearers."