Ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会, literally "one time, one meeting") is a Japanese term that describes a cultural concept often linked with famed tea master Sen no Rikyu.
The term is often translated as "for this time only," "never again," or
"one chance in a lifetime." However, ichigo ichie was actually coined
much later by Ii Naosuke (1815 -1860) who was chief administrator of the
Tokugawa Shogunate and was also a tea master. Rikyu's phrase was
"ichigo ni ichido" (once in a lifetime) – the complete phrase seems to
have been "ichigo ni ichido no e no yō ni."[1]
Ichi-go ichi-e is linked with Zen Buddhism and concepts of transience. The term is particularly associated with the Japanese tea ceremony, and is often brushed
onto scrolls which are hung in the tea room. In the context of tea
ceremony, ichi-go ichi-e reminds participants that each tea meeting is
unique.
The term is also much repeated in budō
(martial ways). It is sometimes used to admonish students who become
careless or frequently stop techniques midway to "try again," rather
than moving on with the technique despite the mistake. In a
life-or-death struggle, there is no chance to "try again." Even though
techniques may be attempted many times in the dojo, each should be seen as a singular and decisive event. Similarly, in noh theater, performances are only rehearsed
together once, a few days before the show, rather than the many times
that are typical in the West, this corresponding to the transience of a
given show.
Ichi-go ichi-e in popular culture
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