also: うたまいのひと
musician (esp. Gagaku performer)
Primarily refers to a performer of Gagaku, the ancient Japanese court music. Can also be used more broadly for a musician, but this usage is less common.
At the Gagaku concert, the musician was playing the shō.
He served for many years as a court musician for the Imperial Household Agency.
Gagaku is the traditional court music itself, while 楽人 refers to the performer of that music.
音楽家 is the general term for a musician in modern contexts, whereas 楽人 is specifically tied to traditional court music.
Standard kanji form for a musician, especially in the context of Gagaku.
Rare alternative spelling; the reading うたまいのひと is a descriptive phrase meaning 'person of song and dance'.
Compound of 楽 (gaku, 'music') and 人 (jin, 'person'). The reading がくじん is the standard on'yomi combination. The alternative form 歌舞人 uses 歌舞 (utamai, 'song and dance') and 人 (hito), read as うたまいのひと.