noun
Rare literary term for a dramatic work or theatrical play. In modern Japanese, 演劇 or 芝居 are the usual words; 演戯 is mostly encountered in older texts or as a stylistic variant.
この古い資料には「演戯」という言葉が使われている。
The word 演戯 is used in this old document.
彼は演戯の道を志したが、今では「演劇」と言うのが普通だ。
He aspired to the path of drama, but nowadays people normally say 演劇.
Common word for 'play' or 'theatrical performance'. More colloquial than 演戯.
The kanji 演 (perform) and 戯 (play, sport) combine to suggest a performed play. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with dramatic works.