The Ghost of Tokaido Inn: Chapters 13–18

by Dorothy Hoobler, Thomas Hoobler
In this first book of the Samurai Detective series set in 18th-century Japan, Konoike Seikei, a tea merchant’s son dreaming of becoming a noble warrior-poet, helps a judge solve the mystery of a missing jewel.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Preface–Chapter 6, Chapters 7–12, Chapters 13–18, Chapters 19–25
35 words 15 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. resentful
    full of or marked by indignant ill will
    But if he thought Seikei was in danger, why did he not look for him? Seikei began to feel resentful.
  2. trudge
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    He trudged on. Two ri was not so far.
  3. endure
    face and withstand with courage
    He reminded himself that a samurai will endure any hardship for his master, and forced himself to go on.
  4. millet
    a grain-like food that grows in grassy stalks
    He heard a dog barking in the field off to his right where rows of millet were growing.
  5. clog
    footwear usually with wooden soles
    “My sandal broke,” Seikei explained. He looked at the wooden clogs that the boy wore. “Would you trade your geta for my sandals?” he asked.
  6. clamber
    climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
    Seikei clambered out of the water and dried himself.
  7. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    Kazuo gave him a skeptical look. “Is that all?”
  8. procession
    the action of a group moving ahead in regular formation
    He pretended to be a beggar, and stood in front of a daimyo’s procession.
  9. parry
    impede the movement of
    Their swords cut through the air, but Tomomi parried every thrust.
  10. warily
    in a manner marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    The actor fell to the ground with a cry, and the other four circled Tomomi warily.
  11. unfurl
    unroll, unfold, or spread out
    Many people in the line unfurled oil-paper umbrellas whose colors made them look like flowers blooming in the spring.
  12. inferior
    of low quality
    Two pretty young women stood outside, trying to entice travelers inside. Seikei realized his task was similar to theirs, and remembered that his father always said inns that used such methods were inferior.
  13. acquire
    gain knowledge or skills
    “You are acquiring discipline,” he said.
  14. significant
    important in effect or meaning
    “The fact that he wishes it known is significant. I think I see where his path will lead him.”
  15. resourceful
    adroit or imaginative
    “You have proved resourceful, a desirable quality in a samurai.”
  16. bewilder
    cause to be confused emotionally
    When they arrived, Seikei saw a scene of bewildering confusion.
  17. trove
    a valuable collection or treasure found hidden
    Hurrying through the crowd, Seikei opened the green chest. It was filled with swords, daggers, spears, bows and arrows, bottles of poison—a treasure trove of deadly objects.
  18. scabbard
    a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
    Suddenly, the actor whipped the sword from its scabbard and raised it high.
  19. jeer
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    People in the audience jeered. He did look ridiculous, like an immensely fat man who had made a fortune off others.
  20. avail
    a means of serving
    The father described the benefits of two great merchant houses uniting through this marriage. Toshio protested, but to no avail. His father’s word, like the shogun’s, was law.
  21. modesty
    freedom from vanity or conceit
    He tried to make himself appear stupid, but they were pleased by his modesty.
  22. prospective
    of or concerned with or related to the future
    The prospective groom had been accepted.
  23. lament
    express grief verbally
    Softly she played the samisen and sang a mournful song, lamenting her lover who had failed to come to her tonight.
  24. alluring
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
    It was not just the kimono, the makeup, and the wig. Every step and gesture was delicate and alluring.
  25. mull
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Seikei sat mulling over his thoughts as the play continued.
  26. earnestly
    in a sincere and serious manner
    “I will become a fisherman,” he said, nodding earnestly.
  27. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    The wistful look on Motoko’s face showed that she knew it was only a dream.
  28. frail
    physically weak
    “My parents, who are old and frail, received a payment for sending me to work here. In return, I promised to stay for twenty years. If I left, my family would be dishonored.”
  29. forge
    create by hammering
    There was no doubt that this was a sword that a master craftsman had forged, perhaps centuries ago.
  30. rustle
    a light noise, like the noise of leaves blowing in the wind
    The rustle of a silk kimono made Seikei jump.
  31. reluctantly
    with a certain degree of unwillingness
    Reluctantly, Seikei followed and took his place with the musicians again.
  32. sprawling
    spreading out in different directions
    But the actor stepped aside, tripping Seikei as he went by and sending him sprawling to the floor.
  33. reproach
    express criticism towards
    He looked around, hoping that Bunzo would suddenly appear to save him. Then Seikei reproached himself. Tomomi had presented a challenge, and he must accept.
  34. feint
    deceive by a mock action
    At once, Seikei understood that was where his opponent would strike, and when Tomomi feinted to the left, Seikei forced himself not to turn with him.
  35. edict
    a formal or authoritative proclamation
    These were the edicts of the shogun—warnings and commands to those who were about to enter the city.
Created on Fri Apr 21 10:47:38 EDT 2023 (updated Tue Apr 25 11:35:56 EDT 2023)

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