明あけやらぬ

noun-modifying (irregular)

still dark; not yet dawn

Literary prenominal expression describing the time just before dawn when the sky is still dark. Often used in poetic or narrative contexts.

• 明あけやらぬ空そらに星ほしがまだ輝かがやいていた。

  Stars still shone in the sky that was not yet dawn.

• 明あけやらぬ町まちを一人ひとりで歩あるいた。

  I walked alone through the town still dark before dawn.