also: じゅうはちばん
noun
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.
カラオケでの彼の十八番はこの曲だ。
This song is his go-to specialty at karaoke.
その手品は彼女のおはこだ。
That magic trick is her specialty.
noun
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.
受付で十八番の札を渡された。
I was given ticket number eighteen at reception.
noun
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
歌舞伎の話では、十八番は市川家ゆかりの十八の演目を指す。
In a kabuki context, Jūhachiban refers to eighteen plays associated with the Ichikawa family.
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.
A broad, ordinary word for being good at something; 十八番 is more like a signature act, favorite performance, or reliable forte.
Means one's field of specialization or expertise, often academic or professional; 十八番 is more personal and can be light or conversational.
Refers to a repertoire or range of items one can perform; 十八番 usually points to the single act, song, or skill someone is especially known for.
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.