also: じゅうはちばん
one's specialty; one's forte; signature party trick
Used for something a person is especially known for or good at, often a song, joke, imitation, trick, or reliable skill. The reading おはこ is especially associated with this idiomatic sense, though じゅうはちばん is also attested.
This song is his go-to specialty at karaoke.
That magic trick is her specialty.
No. 18; eighteenth
Only with reading じゅうはちばん
Literal numerical use, read じゅうはちばん. This is separate from the idiomatic おはこ sense.
I was given ticket number eighteen at reception.
Kabuki Jūhachiban; repertoire of eighteen kabuki plays
Only with reading じゅうはちばん
Kabuki term, often short for 歌舞伎十八番. In this sense it is read じゅうはちばん and refers to the set of eighteen famous kabuki plays.
See also: 歌舞伎十八番
In a kabuki context, Jūhachiban refers to eighteen plays associated with the Ichikawa family.
He has made this song his signature piece.
I performed my signature trick at the party.
I sang my go-to song at karaoke.
得意 is a general word for being good at something, while 十八番 points to a specific signature act, song, or trick a person is famous for.
専門 usually names one's academic or professional field of expertise, whereas 十八番 is more personal and often light-hearted, like a favorite party trick.
特技 refers broadly to any special skill someone has, while 十八番 highlights the one act or performance they are especially known for.
レパートリー is the whole range of pieces or tricks someone can perform, while 十八番 singles out the one they're most famous for.
Standard kanji spelling for the idiomatic sense meaning one's specialty or signature performance.
Attested high-priority reading. It can mean literally No. 18, the kabuki term, and also the idiomatic specialty sense.
Practical kana spelling for the idiomatic specialty sense, useful when avoiding the unusual reading of 十八番.
Alternative kanji spelling for おはこ in the specialty sense; much less common than 十八番 or kana.
The idiomatic specialty sense is commonly associated with 歌舞伎十八番, the kabuki repertoire of eighteen plays. 御箱 is a traditional spelling for おはこ, but the exact historical development is not specified.