斜しゃ陽よう族ぞく

noun

declining aristocracy; impoverished former upper class

Coined after the novel 斜陽 (The Setting Sun) by Dazai Osamu; refers to formerly wealthy or noble families who have fallen into decline, especially after WWII. Often used in a historical or literary context.

• 戦せん後ご、多おおくの華か族ぞくが斜しゃ陽よう族ぞくとなった。

  After the war, many former nobles became part of the declining aristocracy.

• 彼かれの家いえは斜しゃ陽よう族ぞくで、昔むかしは大おおきな屋や敷しきに住すんでいたらしい。

  His family is of the declining aristocracy; apparently they used to live in a large mansion.