田でん楽がく返がえし

noun

kabuki stage device for changing backdrops

Archaic kabuki term. A rotating axle mechanism used to flip or change the painted backdrop during a performance. Compare 田楽豆腐, the grilled tofu dish whose flipping motion inspired the name.

See also: 田楽豆腐

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの歌か舞ぶ伎きでは、田でん楽がく返がえしで背はい景けいを素す早ばやく変かえた。

  In Edo-period kabuki, they quickly changed the backdrop using the dengaku-gaeshi device.

noun

turning something over like dengaku tofu

Refers to flipping or turning an object in the same way one flips skewered dengaku tofu to cook both sides evenly. Often used figuratively or in descriptions of manual actions.

• 魚さかなを焼やくときは、田でん楽がく返がえしで両りょう面めんをこんがり焼やく。

  When grilling fish, turn it over like dengaku tofu to cook both sides nicely.