本ほん手て

noun

ace up one's sleeve; trump card

Figurative use for a hidden advantage or decisive resource kept in reserve. Often contrasted with 奥の手.

See also: 奥の手 (おくのて)

• 彼かれは交こう渉しょうの最さい後ごに本ほん手てを出だした。

  He played his trump card at the end of the negotiation.

noun

basic melody (koto, shamisen)

Music term for the fundamental melodic line in traditional Japanese instruments, especially koto and shamisen.

• 箏そう曲きょくでは、本ほん手てに対たいして替かえ手てが装そう飾しょく的てきな旋せん律りつを奏かなでる。

  In koto music, the basic melody is played by the honte, while the kaede adds ornamental lines.

noun

proper move (go, shogi)

In board games like go and shogi, a move that is considered correct or standard according to established theory.

• この局きょく面めんでは、隅すみに打うつのが本ほん手てだ。

  In this position, playing in the corner is the proper move.

noun

expert; professional; master

Refers to a person who is a genuine specialist or highly skilled, as opposed to an amateur. Often used in compound-like contexts.

• 彼かれは将しょう棋ぎの本ほん手てだ。

  He is a shogi master.