also: おんながく
noun
music performed by women
General term for music played by women, often in historical or traditional contexts.
平安時代の宮中では、女楽が盛んに行われていた。
In the Heian-period court, music performed by women was popular.
noun
female court musicians and dancers
Only with reading じょがく
Specifically refers to women who performed Bugaku (court music and dance) in historical Japanese courts. Restricted to reading じょがく.
女楽は、雅楽の演奏や舞を披露した女性たちを指す。
女楽 refers to the women who performed gagaku music and dance.
Compound of 女 (woman) and 楽 (music). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with Heian-period court culture.