zuru verb, intransitive verb
Archaic honorific verb used exclusively for the death of high-ranking nobles or imperial family members. In modern Japanese, this concept is expressed with 亡くなる or 薨去する.
古記録には「大臣薨ず」と記されている。
In old records it is written 'the minister passed away' (using 薨ずる).
The kanji 薨 is a classical Chinese character specifically used for the death of feudal lords or high officials. The verb 薨ずる is a Japanese zuru-verb formation from this kanji, used in historical and literary contexts.