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見世物 (みせもの, misemono) Japanese meaning: misemono | Kotomora

見み世せ物もの

み

せ

も

の

JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

misemono; Edo/Meiji-period sideshow

historical term

Historical term for a type of outdoor sideshow or spectacle common in the Edo and Meiji periods, often held on temple or shrine grounds.

江え戸ど時じ代だい、浅あさ草くさでは見み世せ物もの小屋ごやが

人にん

気き

を

集あつ

め

た

。

In the Edo period, misemono shacks were popular in Asakusa.

2

show; exhibition; spectacle; freakshow; sideshow

General term for a show, exhibition, or spectacle, often with a connotation of something unusual or freakish. Can be used figuratively.

彼かれのパフォーマンスはまるで見み世せ物もののようだった。
His performance was like a spectacle.
サーカスの見み世せ物ものには珍めずらしい動どう物ぶつがいた。
The circus sideshow had rare animals.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉を見み世せ物ものにするto turn someone into a spectacle; to put someone on display for others to gawk at
マスコミは彼かれのスキャンダルを見み世せ物ものにした。
The media turned his scandal into a spectacle.
見み世せ物ものになるto become a spectacle; to end up being gawked at by others
彼かの女じょは自じ分ぶんの失しっ敗ぱいが世せ間けんの見み世せ物ものになったと感かんじた。
She felt her failure had become a public spectacle.

Expressions

パンと見み世せ物ものbread and circuses

Kanji

見see, hopes, chances
世generation, world, society
物thing, object, matter

Related words· 6

ショーN1sense 2
ショー is a neutral modern loanword for any show or performance, while 見世物 carries an old-fashioned or freakish, carnival-like connotation.
興こう行ぎょう sense 2
興行 refers to a commercially staged performance or entertainment event, whereas 見世物 emphasizes the spectacle's oddity or freak-show quality rather than its business aspect.
出だし物もの sense 2
出し物 is the neutral term for a program or act performed at an event, lacking the freakish or exploitative nuance that 見世物 can carry.
サーカス
サーカス refers specifically to a circus with acrobats, clowns, and animals, while 見世物 is a broader term for any public show or spectacle, including sideshows and exhibitions.

Show 2 more

スペクタクル
見世物 refers to a show or attraction, often with a sideshow or exhibition feel, whereas スペクタクル implies a large-scale, visually dramatic production.
演えん芸げい
見世物 emphasizes a spectacle or sideshow put on for viewers, while 演芸 more broadly covers stage performances like comedy, magic, or variety acts.

Don't confuse with

見けん物ぶつN4
見世物 (みせもの) is the thing being shown or exhibited, while 見物 (けんぶつ) is the act of watching or sightseeing, and the two are easily confused because of their similar kanji.

Word family

見み世せ物もの小ご屋や
show tent; circus tent; freak show booth

Written forms

見み世せ物ものUsage78%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Standard kanji spelling; 見世 is ateji for みせ.
見みせ物ものUsage22%
Alternate spelling using 見せ instead of ateji 見世.

Etymology

From 見せ物, literally “a thing shown,” with 見せ the continuative form of 見せる and 物 “thing.” 見世物 is a historical spelling of the same word.