戊ぼ夜や

noun

fifth division of the night (approx. 3am to 5am)

Archaic term from the traditional Chinese-influenced timekeeping system, dividing the night into five watches. 戊夜 refers to the last watch, roughly corresponding to 3am–5am. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.

• 古こ典てん文ぶん学がくでは、「戊ぼ夜や」は夜よ明あけ前まえの時じ間かん帯たいを指さす。

  In classical literature, 戊夜 refers to the period just before dawn.