孤こ城じょう落らく日じつ

noun

lonely and helpless; desolate isolation

A yojijukugo evoking the image of a solitary castle under a setting sun, used to describe a person or group left without support, facing inevitable decline or abandonment. Often carries a literary or dramatic tone.

• 敗はい戦せん後ご、将しょう軍ぐんは孤こ城じょう落らく日じつの思おもいで城しろを後あとにした。

  After the defeat, the general left the castle with a feeling of utter loneliness and helplessness.

• 会かい社しゃが倒とう産さんし、彼かれは孤こ城じょう落らく日じつの心しん境きょうだった。

  When his company went bankrupt, he felt as if he were a solitary castle at sunset—completely isolated and helpless.