白はく玉ぎょく楼ろう

noun

celestial tower of the afterlife for poets and artists

A literary and mythological term from Chinese legend, referring to the heavenly palace where talented writers and artists were believed to reside after death. Often encountered in classical Japanese literature and poetry, especially in the phrase 白玉楼中の人となる (to become a resident of the White Jade Tower, i.e., to pass away).

See also: 白玉楼中の人となる

• 彼かれは若わかくして白はく玉ぎょく楼ろう中ちゅうの人ひととなった。

  He passed away young and became a resident of the White Jade Tower.

• 白はく玉ぎょく楼ろうは、文ぶん人じん墨ぼっ客かくが死し後ごに行いくという天てん上じょうの楼ろう閣かくである。

  The White Jade Tower is a celestial palace where literati are said to go after death.