蜉ふ蝣ゆう

noun

mayfly

Archaic term for mayfly. In modern Japanese, カゲロウ is the standard word. This form appears mainly in classical literature or poetic contexts.

• 古こ典てんでは「蜉ふ蝣ゆう」と書かいてはかない命いのちの象しょう徴ちょうとされる。

  In classical literature, 蜉蝣 is written as a symbol of fleeting life.

noun

ephemerality of life

Archaic metaphorical use, likening life's transience to the short-lived mayfly. Found in old poetry and prose.

• 人じん生せいの蜉ふ蝣ゆうを嘆なげく古ふるい和わ歌かがある。

  There is an old waka poem that laments the ephemerality of life.