Issei

Issei is a Japanese term meaning the first generation of immigrants in a new country. It is used to describe people who were born in Japan and later moved abroad, as distinct from their descendants who were born in the host country. In diaspora communities, the term helps differentiate generations within families and populations.

Etymology and related terms: Issei comes from the kanji 一世, literally “one generation.” The second generation is called Nisei (二世), the third Sansei (三世), and in later generations Yonsei (四世) and beyond. These designations are commonly used in Japanese American, Japanese Canadian, and Japanese Brazilian contexts, among others, to discuss assimilation, cultural retention, and social history.

Usage and context: In many Nikkei communities, the Issei were the immigrant founders who established households, businesses, and cultural institutions for their families. Their children, born in the host country, are the Nisei, and subsequent generations have grown up with varying degrees of bilingualism and bicultural experience. Studies often examine how each generation navigates language, identity, and social integration.

Popular culture: The term Issei is also used as a given name in Japan. In fiction, Issei Hyoudou is a notable example—the protagonist of the light novel and anime series High School DxD. This usage is unrelated to the generational sense but reflects the name’s distinct cultural presence.