1.
final day of a performance run; closing day of a sumo tournament
The last day of a series of performances, exhibitions, or a sumo tournament. Originally a term from traditional performing arts, now widely used for any concluding event in a run.
今日が千秋楽だ。
Today is the final day.
大相撲の千秋楽で優勝が決まった。
The championship was decided on the final day of the grand sumo tournament.
このミュージカルは来週の日曜日に千秋楽を迎えるので、まだ観ていない方はお早めに。
This musical reaches its final performance next Sunday, so if you haven't seen it yet, please hurry.
ETYMOLOGY:
Originally from Buddhist gagaku music — the last piece played at a temple ceremony was called 千秋楽 ("a thousand autumns of joy"). It was adopted into kabuki and other performing arts to refer to the final performance.
USAGE:
Commonly abbreviated to 楽日 or 楽 in theater circles. Most widely associated with sumo and theater.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 千秋楽を迎える (to reach the final day)
- 千秋楽公演 (closing performance)
- 大相撲の千秋楽 (final day of a sumo tournament)