music, comfort, ease
楽 centers on a state of ease and enjoyment: comfort, pleasure, and the delight found in music.
楽 is the modern simplified form of 樂, which originally depicted a stringed musical instrument on a wooden stand. The association with comfort and ease likely developed from the enjoyment of music.
The top part 白 suggests a bright, clear sound, and 木 is a wooden instrument. Together they make music, which brings comfort and ease.
For ガク, imagine a gak (a made-up word for a cheerful musical note) played on a wooden instrument: gak -> ガク, and the sound fills the room with comfort.
enjoyable; fun; pleasant; happy; delightful
music
enjoyment; pleasure; amusement; delight; joy; fun; diversion; hobby
comfort; ease; relief; (at) peace; relaxation
club; fraternity; sorority; clubhouse
to enjoy; to take pleasure in; to have a good time; to have fun; to amuse oneself
musical composition; tune
musical instrument
carefree; comfortable; at ease
paradise; Eden
pleasure
amusement; entertainment; recreation; pleasure; pastime; hobby
score; sheet music
fan club
kagura; traditional Shinto music and dancing
Western music; European music
optimism; taking an optimistic view
orchestra; band
dressing room; green room; backstage
Japanese music (esp. traditional Japanese music)
musician
final day of a performance; closing date; final show
movement
orchestral music
Sukhavati (Amitabha's Pure Land)
music for strings; string music
outing; excursion; pleasure trip; going on a picnic
string instrument; stringed instrument
human emotions (joy, anger, grief and pleasure); feelings
vocal music
percussion instrument
chamber music
noh play
entertainment district; amusement area; pleasure quarter; red-light district
gagaku; ceremonial Japanese court music
bunraku; Japanese puppet theatre (theater)
optimistic
light music; popular music
instrumental music
spinning top
bugaku; court dance and music
band; orchestra
classical music
symphony orchestra
euthanasia
optimist; easy-going person
optimistic; hopeful
orchestra
tourist resort; holiday resort