gagaku

American  

[gah-gah-koo] / gɑˈgɑ ku /

noun

1. the select group of Japanese men who, as both dancers and musicians, perform the bugaku.

2. the style of music played to accompany the bugaku.

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Etymology

Origin of gagaku

< Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese yǎ elegant + yuè music; bugaku

Example Sentences

In 1973 he wrote “In an Autumn Garden” for the ancient court gagaku orchestra and “Autumn,” a second work for shakuhachi and biwa soloists with orchestra.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2020

For his album due Sept. 28, “Konoyo,” he collaborated with Tokyo Gakuso, a classical Japanese gagaku orchestra playing traditional instruments: reeds, wooden flutes, lutes, zithers, percussion.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2018

Mr. Hosokawa returned to Japan and researched gagaku, the ancient music of the Japanese court, while learning calligraphy from a Zen priest.

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2011