獲かく麟りん

noun

the end of things; one's last writings

Archaic literary term. Refers to the end of a creative or intellectual endeavor, especially an author's final work. Derived from the classical story of Confucius ceasing his chronicle after a qilin was captured.

• 「獲かく麟りん」は、孔こう子しが麒き麟りんを獲えたのを機きに筆ふでを置おいた故こ事じに由ゆ来らいする。

  The term 獲麟 originates from the historical event where Confucius laid down his brush after a qilin was captured.

noun

one's dying hour; the death of Confucius

Archaic and highly specific. Used to refer to the moment of death, particularly in reference to Confucius. Rarely encountered outside classical texts.

• 古こ典てんでは、孔こう子しの死しを「獲かく麟りん」と表ひょう現げんすることがある。

  In classical texts, the death of Confucius is sometimes expressed as 獲麟.