noun
celestial tower of the afterlife for poets and artists
A literary and mythological term from Chinese legend, referring to the heavenly palace where talented writers and artists were believed to reside after death. Often encountered in classical Japanese literature and poetry, especially in the phrase 白玉楼中の人となる (to become a resident of the White Jade Tower, i.e., to pass away).
See also: 白玉楼中の人となる
彼は若くして白玉楼中の人となった。
He passed away young and became a resident of the White Jade Tower.
白玉楼は、文人墨客が死後に行くという天上の楼閣である。
The White Jade Tower is a celestial palace where literati are said to go after death.