particle

1. indicates the subject of a sentence
2. indicates possession (literary in modern Japanese; usu. written as ヶ in place names)
3. and
4. used after an introductory remark or explanation
5. regardless of ...; whether ... (or not); no matter ... (after the volitional or -まい form of a verb)
6. indicates a desire or hope
7. softens a statement (at sentence end)
8. indicates doubt (at sentence end)
9. indicates scorn (after a noun at the end of an interjection)

conj.

10. but; however; (and) yet; though; although; while