book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things
本 centers on the root or origin of something, from which ideas of main, true, and real naturally follow. The book and counter senses are extensions of this root idea: a book as a source of knowledge, and long cylindrical things as rooted or fundamental objects.
本 is derived from 木 (tree) with an added stroke at the base to indicate the root. This root meaning extended to origin, source, and fundamental things.
Picture a tree 木 with a short line marking its root. That root is the origin, the main part, and the true foundation—just like a book is a source of knowledge.
For ホン, imagine a book so fundamental it's called the 'hon' (as in 'honcho' or 'honest'), the real deal: hon -> ホン.
Japan
book; volume; script
really; truly
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
truth; reality; actuality; fact
Japanese person
Japanese (language)
the person in question; the person themselves; said person
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity
originally; primarily
genuine article; real thing; real deal
today; this day
original method; original procedure; genuine way (of doing something)
headquarters; head office; main office
substance; true form; true character
funds; capital
head office; main office; headquarters; parent company
real name
performance (as opposed to practice); going before an audience or on-air; take
essence; true nature; substance; reality
root; source; origin
script; screenplay; scenario
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks
picture book
head office; main office; main store; flagship store
Japan's best; number one in Japan
instinct
western Japan (usu. Chūbu region and westward)
text (of a book, document, etc.); body (of a letter)
bookstore; bookshop
standalone book (i.e. not part of an anthology, series, etc.); (book published as a) single volume
head house; main family
mainland; the country proper
all of Japan; the whole of Japan
script; libretto; scenario
principal occupation; core business
number (of long, cylindrical things, movies, trains, home runs, etc.)
main line; trunk line
Sea of Japan
home (of something); place famous for its ...; center (e.g. of manufacture); best place (for)
sample; specimen; pattern
true character; real nature
favorite (to win); favourite; likely winner
main text
this matter; this case
bookshelves; bookshelf; bookcase
true feelings; real intention; one's heart
home country; one's own country; country of origin
specimen; sample
standard; basis; principle
model; (good) example; exemplar; paragon
home run
original stock
main school; principal school
main topic; main subject; main issue; main question
principal object of worship (at a Buddhist temple); principal image
main island
head temple
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
main building (as opposed to an annex, outbuilding, etc.)
characteristic quality; special character; one's real ability; one's specialty
principal occupation; main job
secondhand book
main hall (of a Buddhist temple); main temple
original (document, copy, work, text, etc.)
secondhand bookshop; secondhand bookstore; secondhand bookseller
trade fair
Bank of Japan; BOJ
main course (of a river)
head temple of a Buddhist sect
this (current) year
main section (of a newspaper); central column
stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
reading-book; reader; guidebook; manual
strenuous effort; earnestness; seriousness
one's registered domicile (as recorded in the family register); one's legal domicile (as opposed to where one lives)
main body (of troops); main force
principal; capital
certified copy; transcript
base; stronghold; main fort
Amida Buddha's original vow; long-cherished desire
ministry proper; home office; head office
distribution of books
main object; principal object; true aim
excerpt; abridgment; abridgement; book of selections
Hon'inbō; Honinbo; grandmaster
rubbing; rubbed copy
one long cylindrical thing; one film, TV show, etc.; one goal, home run, etc.; one telephone call
three (long cylindrical things)
reluctant; unwilling; involuntary; unintentional; unintended; unlooked-for; disappointing
double feature (movie)
four (long cylindrical things)
basic rate (i.e. excluding optional service fees, usage charges, etc.); basic charge; base cost; base price
fundamental; basic
official copy of the family register
drastic; radical
throughout Japan
Japanese company (business, firm)
all over Japan; throughout Japan
Japanese sword (usu. single-edged and curved); Japanese bladed weapon
first (of its kind) in Japan
Japanese history; history of Japan
Japanese citizen; (the) Japanese
Science Council of Japan
Japanese style
Japanese government
Japanese cooking; Japanese cuisine
Japanese-style painting; picture in Japanese style; nihon-ga
Japanese society
Japanese paper; washi
Japanese economy
made in Japan; Japanese-made
sake (rice wine); saké
main budget
plenary session; regular session
this land; our country
regularization; regularisation; getting up speed; proceeding at full tilt
genuine; real; authentic; standard; orthodox
this column
bookcase
one's normal condition; one's usual state
essential; substantial; substantive; intrinsic
fundamental; basic
social capital; SOC
net worth; owned capital
capitalism
capitalist; financier
capital stock