noun
cultivating knowledge and virtue; jewel polishing
Poetic term. Literally 'polishing a jewel', used metaphorically for refining one's character or intellect through study and effort. Rare in modern everyday language.
「他山の石以て玉を攻むべし」という故事に由来する言葉で、攻玉は人格を磨くことを意味する。
Derived from the proverb 'Use a stone from another mountain to polish your own jewel,' 攻玉 means refining one's character.