face-to-face encounter; meeting in person
Refers to a direct, often significant or dramatic, meeting between people. Commonly used in the phrase 相見える (あいまみえる) as a verb.
The face-to-face encounter between the two great men was a historic moment.
I met him by chance on the street.
Compound of 相 (あい, mutual) and 見え (まみえ, meeting), from the verb 見える (まみえる, to meet). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is associated with formal or dramatic encounters.