Noun
origin; source; beginning
esp. 元
憲政の危機が始まったのは、このような状況のもとであった。It was under these circumstances that the constitutional crisis began. basis; base; foundation; root
oft. 基
cause
also written as 因, 原
(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock
esp. 素
(one's) side
capital; principal; cost price
root (of a plant); (tree) trunk
part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)
first three lines of a waka
see 和歌
Counter
counter for plants or trees
counter for falcons (in falconry)
Also written 本【もと】、素【もと】、基【もと】