pixiu; mythical leopard-like beast
A ferocious, leopard-like legendary animal from Chinese mythology, often called pixiu in English. In Japanese, it is a learned term used in historical or mythological contexts.
In Chinese legend, the pixiu is considered a spirit beast that guards treasures.
Rare figurative use, likening a fierce soldier to the mythical beast. Mainly found in classical or literary texts.
In old war tales, a brave general is sometimes likened to a 'pixiu'.
Variant kanji form with 豼 instead of 貔; very rare in modern use.
Borrowed from Chinese 貔貅 (píxiū), a mythical hybrid creature. The Japanese reading ひきゅう is the on'yomi of the characters. The figurative sense 'brave warrior' derives from the beast's ferocity.