also: きかおくべし
expression
seize every golden opportunity; strike while the iron is hot; buy a rare item cheaply to sell later at a high profit
A yojijukugo originating from a Chinese historical anecdote. It conveys the idea of recognizing and capitalizing on a rare opportunity, often with a connotation of speculative profit. Used in proverbial or literary contexts.
彼は奇貨可居の精神で、不況時に優良株を買い漁った。
With the spirit of seizing a golden opportunity, he snapped up quality stocks during the recession.
この古い切手は奇貨可居だ。今買っておけば将来高く売れるかもしれない。
This old stamp is a rare find. If I buy it now, I might be able to sell it for a high price later.
From a story in the Chinese historical text 'Records of the Grand Historian' (Shiji). The merchant Lü Buwei saw the potential in a prince living as a hostage and said '此奇貨可居' (this is a rare commodity worth hoarding), later helping him become king. The phrase entered Japanese as a yojijukugo.