土つちに帰かえる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

to die; to return to the earth

Poetic or euphemistic expression for dying, literally 'to return to the soil'. Often used in literary or solemn contexts. Compare with 土になる, which has a similar meaning.

See also: 土になる

• 彼かれは静しずかに土つちに帰かえった。

  He quietly returned to the earth.