also: ごくすいのえん
expression, noun
winding stream party; kyokusui-no-en
A historical court event where participants composed poetry and drank sake along a winding stream. Now mostly a cultural reference or reenactment.
平安時代には、曲水の宴が宮中で行われていた。
During the Heian period, the winding stream party was held at the imperial court.
この神社では毎年春に曲水の宴を再現している。
This shrine reenacts the winding stream party every spring.