Archaic term for the northwest direction, derived from the Chinese zodiac system where 戌 (dog) and 亥 (boar) correspond to west-north and north-north respectively, combining to indicate northwest. Not used in modern everyday speech; replaced by 北西 (ほくせい).
Refers to the northeast or southwest direction in traditional onmyōdō, often associated with the demon gate; 戌亥 is sometimes used in similar esoteric contexts.
Etymology
From the Chinese zodiac signs 戌 (dog, associated with west-north) and 亥 (boar, associated with north-north), combined to represent the northwest direction. The reading いぬい is the kun'yomi of the two characters. The alternate kanji 乾 is also used for northwest in traditional directional systems.
