also: あきおうぎ
noun
autumn fan; outdated item; woman who has lost a man's affection
Literally a fan in autumn, no longer needed. Figuratively, something or someone that has fallen out of use or favor. The figurative sense for a woman is classical and poetic, often appearing in literature.
See also: 秋の扇
秋扇は、夏が過ぎて不要になった扇のことを指す。
An autumn fan refers to a fan that is no longer needed after summer has passed.
彼女は秋扇のように忘れ去ら
She was a forgotten presence, like an autumn fan.
Synonymous phrase; 秋扇 is a more compact, literary form.
Compound of 秋 (autumn) and 扇 (fan). The figurative meanings derive from the idea of a fan becoming useless after summer.