十じゅう三さん階かい段だん

noun

gallows; the thirteen steps

Euphemistic or indirect reference to the gallows, based on the traditional number of steps leading up to the execution platform. Often used in literary or historical contexts.

See also: 絞首台 (こうしゅだい)

• 彼かれは十じゅう三さん階かい段だんを上のぼる運うん命めいにあった。

  He was destined to climb the thirteen steps.

• その小しょう説せつでは、十じゅう三さん階かい段だんが絞こう首しゅ台だいの象しょう徴ちょうとして描えがかれている。

  In that novel, the thirteen steps are depicted as a symbol of the gallows.