Alternative form of 元

long cylindrical things such as glasses of drink, pairs of jeans, pens or trains and buses / films or TV shows / home runs or goals / rounds of a match in boxing, wrestling or judo

current, this, the matter in question / original, actual, base

book / this / main / real / actual / true

(idiomatic) a less powerful person partners with a more powerful person, such as for practicing

rent; hire

(idiomatic) so busy there are not enough hours in the day; lit. to want to borrow even the paw of a cat

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 一 and 本 (one thing) / Short for 一本勝ち (ippon-gachi, “winning in one blow”).

a comic book, a cartoon book

hardcore pornography; 'underground' pornography showing uncensored genitals. Technically illegal in Japan.