筆を折る

• 読み: ふでをおる
• ローマ字: fude wo oru
• 漢字の分解: 筆 (fude/hitsu) — brush, writing; 折 (o/ori) — break, fold, bend
• 発音: /ɸɯ.de.o.o.ɾɯ/

意味

To stop writing; to give up writing; to retire as an author. An expression for permanently ceasing literary activity.

A set expression (慣用句, kan'yōku) using the image of breaking one's writing brush as a declaration of retirement from writing. It carries a sense of finality and often pathos. Used when an author makes a conscious, definitive decision to stop publishing — whether due to age, illness, disillusionment, or grief. Distinguished from 筆を置く (to put down the brush), which may be temporary.

例文

1. 長年書き続けてきた作家が筆を折ると宣言し、文壇に大きな衝撃が走った。
2. 愛する人を失った詩人は筆を折り、以後二度と作品を世に出さなかった。
3. 病を得てからも書き続けたが、ついに筆を折る日が来てしまった。

使い方ガイド

場面: literature, biography, obituary, literary criticism

トーン: solemn

起源と歴史

The image of 折る (to break/fold) suggests a decisive, irreversible act — breaking one's writing brush so it can no longer be used. Contrasted with 筆を置く (to set down the brush) which is gentler and potentially temporary.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Literary