declining aristocracy; impoverished former upper class
Coined after the novel 斜陽 (The Setting Sun) by Dazai Osamu; refers to formerly wealthy or noble families who have fallen into decline, especially after WWII. Often used in a historical or literary context.
After the war, many former nobles became part of the declining aristocracy.
His family is of the declining aristocracy; apparently they used to live in a large mansion.
Coined from 斜陽 (setting sun, decline) + 族 (tribe, group), inspired by Dazai Osamu's novel 斜陽 (The Setting Sun, 1947), which depicted the decline of an aristocratic family.