四し維い

noun

four ordinal directions

Refers to the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) or the four corners. Often used in classical or technical contexts such as geography, cosmology, or traditional Chinese thought. Compare 四隅 (よすみ) for 'four corners' in a more physical sense.

See also: 四隅

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくの宇う宙ちゅう論ろんでは、四し維いは天てん地ちの四よ隅すみを指さす。

  In ancient Chinese cosmology, 四維 refers to the four corners of heaven and earth.

noun

four cardinal principles of the state

Only with reading しい

From the Chinese classic Guanzi. The four principles are propriety (礼), justice (義), integrity (廉), and sense of shame (恥). This is a specialized historical and philosophical term, not used in everyday Japanese.

• 『管かん子し』では、四し維いが国こっ家かの基き本ほんとされる。

  In the Guanzi, the four cardinal principles are considered the foundation of the state.