noun
farewell cups of water
A traditional parting ritual where water is shared in cups instead of sake, often symbolizing a final farewell or a vow of abstinence.
出征前、彼らは水杯を交わした。
Before leaving for the front, they shared farewell cups of water.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant kanji form using 盃, an older character for 'cup'.
Compound of 水 (water) and 杯 (cup). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is associated with traditional Japanese farewell customs.