Gagaku definition
An ancient music of East Asia associated chiefly with Japan's imperial court.
noun
The ancient court ritual music of Japan, of Chinese and Korean origin.
noun
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Origin of gagaku
- From Japanese 雅楽 (ががく gagaku), from Middle Chinese 雅樂 (ngǽ-ngæwk "ancient ceremonial music") (compare Mandarin yǎyuè 雅乐, Cantonese ngaa5-ngok6 雅樂), from Old Chinese 雅樂 (*ŋˁraʔ-ŋˁrawk "courtly, ceremonial music"), from 雅 ("elegant", "refined") + 樂 ("music").
From Wiktionary