also: おばすて
noun
abandoning old women; granny dumping
Refers to the legendary or historical practice of carrying an elderly woman (usually one's mother) to a remote place and leaving her to die, often due to famine or poverty. The term is strongly associated with the folk tale 姥捨て山 (Obasuteyama).
姥捨ては、昔話や伝説の中で語られることが多い。
The practice of abandoning old women is often told in folk tales and legends.
「姥捨て山」という話を知っていますか。
Do you know the story of 'Obasuteyama' (the mountain where old women are abandoned)?
Compound of 姥 (uba, 'old woman') and 捨て (sute, 'throwing away, abandoning'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term is deeply rooted in Japanese folklore and possibly reflects past practices during times of hardship.