Noun, Adverb (fukushi)
beginning; start; outset; opening
旅行の初めの二日間は雨降りだった。The first two days of my trip were rainy. Noun
first (in line, etc.)
esp. 初め
origin
esp. 始め
such as ...; not to mention ...
Usually written using kana aloneesp. 始め; as 〜を始め, 〜を始めとして, etc.
Also written 初め【はじめ】