猿さる楽がく

noun

sarugaku; medieval Japanese theatre

Historical term for a popular performing art from the 11th to 14th centuries, precursor to noh and kyogen.

• 猿さる楽がくは能のうや狂きょう言げんの源げん流りゅうとされる。

  Sarugaku is considered the origin of noh and kyogen.

noun

noh; noh theatre

Only with reading さるがく

Archaic synonym for 能楽 (noh), used historically when sarugaku evolved into noh. Restricted to reading さるがく.

See also: 能楽

• 古ふるい文ぶん献けんでは、猿さる楽がくという言こと葉ばが能のうを指さすことがある。

  In old documents, the word sarugaku sometimes refers to noh.

noun

fooling around; horseplay

Only with reading さるごう

Archaic sense, restricted to reading さるごう. Derived from the comedic, acrobatic origins of the performance art.

• 「さるごう」は、かつて滑こっ稽けいな物もの真似まねや曲きょく芸げいを指さした。

  Sarugō once referred to comical mimicry and acrobatics.