Issei
/ˈɪs.seɪ/noun
A first-generation Japanese immigrant, especially one who settled in the United States or Canada.
Did you know?The term became especially prominent in North America as Japanese immigrant communities distinguished the Issei, born in Japan, from their Nisei children born abroad.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
一世
“One generation or one lifetime; the characters later supplied the Japanese term.”
Medieval China
Middle Chinese
一世
“A single generation or age; pronounced approximately ʔjit-sjèh in reconstructed readings.”
8th–12th Century
Japanese
一世（いっせい）
“First generation; the Sino-Japanese reading combined ichi, “one,” with sei, “generation.””
Late 19th–Early 20th Century
Japanese-English usage
Issei
“A Japanese immigrant of the first generation, particularly in communities overseas.”
20th Century
English
Issei
“A first-generation Japanese immigrant, a usage established in North American English.”