Etymology

From Japanese 雅楽 ‎(gagaku), from Middle Chinese 雅樂 ‎(ngǽ-ngæwk, “ancient ceremonial music”) (compare Mandarin 雅乐 ‎(yǎyuè), 雅樂 ‎(ngaa⁵ngok⁶)), from Old Chinese 雅樂 ‎(*ŋˁraʔ-ŋˁrawk, “"courtly, ceremonial music"”), from 雅 ("elegant", "refined") + 樂 ("music").