just the beginning; only the start
Only when written 序の口
Figurative use derived from the sumo division; implies that the current situation is merely the first step and more is to come. Often used in the pattern 〜はまだ序の口だ.
This amount of work is still just the beginning.
His hardships were only just starting at this point.
jonokuchi; lowest sumo division
The lowest of the six professional sumo divisions, where new wrestlers begin their careers.
He won all his bouts in the jonokuchi division.
It took several years to rise from jonokuchi to juryo.
Standard spelling; used in both the sumo and figurative senses.
Variant spelling with katakana ノ; seen in sumo contexts and some publications.
Literally 'beginning's mouth' or 'opening of the order'. Originally a sumo term for the lowest rank, later extended figuratively to mean 'just the start'.