yodan verb with 'hu/fu' ending (archaic), transitive verb
Archaic honorific verb used to describe the speech of a person of high status, such as an emperor or deity. In modern Japanese, it is only encountered in classical literature or in jocular, exaggerated speech mimicking old-fashioned respectful language. The verb is a yodan verb with the classical ending ふ (modern う).
See also: 宣う
帝は「まことにめでたきことかな」と宣ふ。
The emperor says, 'Truly, this is a joyous occasion.'
古典では、高貴な人
In classical literature, 'notamau' is used when a noble person speaks.
Derived from the honorific prefix の (as in のる, のす) combined with たまふ (賜ふ), an archaic respectful auxiliary verb. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is a classical honorific expression for speech.