also: ひとまき
noun
one roll; one coil
Refers to a single rolled-up item, such as a scroll, film, or tape. Used with both readings.
フィルムを一巻買った。
I bought one roll of film.
noun
one volume; one book
Used for a single volume of a multi-volume work. Commonly read いっかん.
この全集は全十巻で、一巻ずつ買えます。
This complete works is in ten volumes, and you can buy them one volume at a time.
noun
Only with reading いっかん
Specifically the first volume of a series. Only read いっかん.
一巻を読み終えたら、すぐに二巻が読みたくなった。
After finishing the first volume, I immediately wanted to read the second.
noun
rolling once; wrapping once around
Only with reading ひとまき
Describes the action of rolling or winding something one time. Only read ひとまき.
包帯を腕に一巻き巻いた。
I wrapped the bandage once around my arm.
Alternate kanji spelling for the reading ひとまき, emphasizing the act of rolling or winding.
Compound of 一 (one) and 巻 (roll/volume). The reading いっかん is the standard on'yomi combination, while ひとまき uses the native Japanese reading.