noun
seeing for the first time; first sight
Refers to the act of seeing something for the first time, often used in contexts like first impressions or initial viewing.
この映画は見始めから引き込まれた。
I was drawn into this movie from the first viewing.
見始めの印象はあまり良くなかった。
My first impression upon seeing it wasn't very good.
初見 is more formal and often used in contexts like first encounter or sight-reading in music, while 見始め is more casual and focuses on the initial act of seeing.
Compound of 見 (mi, 'seeing') + 始め (hajime, 'beginning'). The irregular form 見始 drops the okurigana め.