軽業(かるわざ)

かるわざ
noun
acrobatics; stunt; feat of agility
entertainment
1. acrobatics; stunt; feat of agility
Physical performances requiring agility and balance, such as tightrope walking or trapeze acts. Also used figuratively for risky or precarious feats.
軽業(かるわざ)を見(み)せる。
To perform acrobatics.
軽業師(かるわざし)が綱(つな)の上(うえ)を渡(わた)った。
The acrobat walked across the tightrope.
二(ふた)つの仕事(しごと)を掛(か)け持(も)ちするのは軽業(かるわざ)のようなものだ。
Juggling two jobs is like a balancing act.

Composed of 軽(かる) (light) + 業(わざ) (skill, feat). Originally referred to acrobatic performances at festivals and street shows in the Edo period, including tightrope walking and tumbling.

Common collocations

  • 軽業師(かるわざし): acrobat; stunt performer
  • 軽業(かるわざ)を演(えん)じる: to perform acrobatics
  • 軽業(かるわざ)のような: acrobatic; like a balancing act

Similar words

  • 曲芸(きょくげい): acrobatics, circus tricks — more modern and broader, including circus acts
  • 大道芸(だいどうげい): street performance — broader category including juggling, magic, etc.
  • 離(はな)れ業(わざ): remarkable feat — emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the act

Related Words

Compare: 曲芸(きょくげい) (acrobatics, circus tricks)
Compare: 大道芸(だいどうげい) (street performance)
general
Added 2026.4.8 4:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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