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.
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.
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.