元

when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally

to get encouraged; to become heightened in spirits; to recover one's strength

first year (of an imperial era)

year something (important) first happened or began

capital; funds; seed money

asset

manager; controller; administrator

chief treasurer

boss (of a gambling den)

Colloquial

former boyfriend; ex-boyfriend

originator; pioneer; inventor; founder

progenitor; primogenitor; founder of a family line

New Year's Day

New Year's Day; first day of the year

Orig. meaning

New Year's morning; morning of New Year's Day

original (that was parodied or acted as an inspiration for something else, etc.); source

cheerfully; spiritedly; vigorously; lively

sovereign; ruler; head of state

Astronomy

epoch

to trace back to (the origins of something)

lighten up!; cheer up!

elder statesman; doyen; old-timer; authority

Historical term

genrō (member of a pre-WWII body that informally advised the emperor)

ex-husband; former husband

ex-wife; former wife

ex-husband; former husband

as it was before

take care; take good care of yourself

ending up right back where one started

stopcock (gas, water); main valve; main tap; stop tap

name of an imperial era (e.g. Heisei, Shōwa); Japanese era name