貔ひ貅きゅう

noun

pixiu; mythical leopard-like beast

A ferocious, leopard-like legendary animal from Chinese mythology, often called pixiu in English. In Japanese, it is a learned term used in historical or mythological contexts.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの伝でん説せつでは、貔ひ貅きゅうは財ざい宝ほうを守まもる霊れい獣じゅうとされている。

  In Chinese legend, the pixiu is considered a spirit beast that guards treasures.

noun

brave warrior

Rare figurative use, likening a fierce soldier to the mythical beast. Mainly found in classical or literary texts.

• 古ふるい軍ぐん記き物もの語がたりでは、勇ゆう猛もうな将しょう軍ぐんを「貔ひ貅きゅう」に例たとえることがある。

  In old war tales, a brave general is sometimes likened to a 'pixiu'.