Japanese meaning of 一期一会
Reading:
いちごいちえ (ichigo ichie)
English Translation:
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter. / Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A rare and irreplaceable encounter or opportunity that may only happen once in a lifetime. It highlights the importance of treasuring meaningful meetings and moments because they may never occur again.
Cultural Context:
Rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony, this phrase has spread to business etiquette, hospitality, and tourism, where it underscores mindfulness toward each interaction.
人生の中で一度きりしか訪れないかもしれない、とても貴重な出会いや経験。二度とない機会であるからこそ、その瞬間や人との縁を大切にすべきだという価値観です。
茶道の精神に由来し、ビジネスマナーや接客、観光業などに広まり、あらゆる出会いを大切にする心構えを示す。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• "Once-in-a-lifetime encounter." = Used as a set phrase to remind people to cherish each meeting.
• Often appears in both formal and everyday situations to stress the uniqueness of the present moment.
Trap for English Speakers
Be careful not to interpret this as only big or rare events; in Japanese, it applies even to everyday encounters.
Example
Basic Example
この出会いを一期一会として大切にしたい。
I want to treasure this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Applied Example
旅先の小さな港町で出会った老人と語り合った夕暮れ。もう二度と会うことはないだろう。その一期一会が、不思議な温かさを残した。
In a small harbor town on his travels, he spent the evening talking with an old man. They would likely never meet again, and that once-in-a-lifetime encounter left a strange warmth in his heart.