‘Ichariba chode’ (行逢りば兄弟) is a Okinawan phrase meaning “though we meet but once, even by chance, we are friends for life”.
.
The Okinawan people live by the principle of ‘ichariba chode’, a local expression that means “treat everyone like a brother (or sister), even if you’ve never met them before”.
.
Many dojo promote this as the belief of a brotherhood of martial artists. It is touted as a means of establishing and promoting things like respect and social interactions for the benefit of the dojo and its members, and a camaraderie of practitioners.
.
It turns out that one of the secrets to happiness of Okinawa’s residents is feeling like part of a community. From an early age they practice ‘yuimaaru’, or teamwork, and so are used to helping one another.
.
During the era of the Ryukyu dynasty some hundreds years ago, the kings of Okinawa had traded with Japan, China, Korea and Southeast Asian countries, leading to the conflation of all such cultures. As a result, Okinawa has developed a “unique style of warmly welcoming anyone, as if visitors were brothers and sisters — family.”
.
The Okinawan people are friendly and kind. Even today, the phrase is being used to convey the friendly atmosphere of Okinawa in regard to visitors for the promotion of tourism.
.
No matter what your martial arts goals are, hopefully it is the people you meet that keep you coming back. 
.
‘Ichariba chode’.
.
.
 Photo Credit: TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography: Takehiro Gaja, 9th-dan, Uechi-ryu :
.
.
References: Okinawa Prefectural Government Tourism Promotion Division
.