孤こ城じょう落らく月げつ

noun

feeling of helpless isolation; desolation of a fallen person

Literary four-character compound evoking the image of a solitary castle under a setting moon; used for the loneliness and helplessness of someone who has lost status, fortune, or companions.

• 彼かれは破は産さんしてからというもの、まさに孤こ城じょう落らく月げつの心しん境きょうだった。

  After going bankrupt, he felt exactly like a solitary castle under a setting moon—utterly alone and helpless.

• 老おいた政せい治じ家かは支し持じ者しゃも去さり、孤こ城じょう落らく月げつの感かんを深ふかくした。

  With his supporters gone, the aging politician was overcome by a deep sense of desolation.