The Japanese phrase "千穐楽" (せんしゅうらく - senshūraku)

 The Japanese phrase "千穐楽" (せんしゅうらく - senshūraku) means the final day of a performance, show, or series of events, particularly in theater (Kabuki, musicals, plays), sumo wrestling, or other long-running entertainment. It's often shortened to simply "楽 (raku)" or "楽日 (rakubi)."

While "千秋楽" (same pronunciation, different kanji for "shū") is also commonly used and has the same meaning, "千穐楽" with the radical for "亀" (turtle) instead of "火" (fire) is traditionally preferred in the theater world. This is because old wooden theaters in Japan were very susceptible to fires, so avoiding the "fire" kanji was considered good luck. The turtle is also a symbol of longevity and good fortune.

Beyond just the literal "final day," "千穐楽" carries a special nuance of culmination, emotion, and celebration for both the performers and the audience. It's often a day of heightened excitement, with special curtain calls, acknowledgments, and sometimes even playful ad-libs from the cast.

Here's how to use "千穐楽" in sentences:

How to Use "千穐楽" in Sentences

"千穐楽" is typically used in contexts related to performances, tours, or long-term events.

Common Patterns:

• 〜の千穐楽 (〜 no senshūraku): The final day of 〜

• 千穐楽を迎える (senshūraku o mukaeru): To reach/have the final day (of a performance)

• 千穐楽公演 (senshūraku kōen): The final performance

• 大千穐楽 (ō-senshūraku): The grand finale; the absolute final performance of a tour (when a show travels to multiple locations, each location has its "senshūraku," but the very last one of the entire tour is "ō-senshūraku").

Examples:

1. 舞台やミュージカル (Plays and Musicals):

   • その舞台の千穐楽は、チケットが争奪戦になるほど人気だ。

     • Sono butai no senshūraku wa, chiketto ga sōdatsusen ni naru hodo ninki da.

     • (The final day of that stage play is so popular that tickets are highly competitive.)

   • 今回のミュージカルは、東京から始まり、全国を巡回して先日ついに大阪で大千穐楽を迎えた。

     • Konkai no myūjikaru wa, Tōkyō kara hajimari, zenkoku o junkai shite senjitsu tsui ni Ōsaka de ō-senshūraku o mukaeta.

     • (This musical started in Tokyo, toured the country, and finally had its grand finale in Osaka the other day.)

   • 千穐楽のカーテンコールでは、役者たちが涙ぐんでいた。

     • Senshūraku no kātenkōru de wa, yakusha-tachi ga namidagunde ita.

     • (During the final day's curtain call, the actors had tears in their eyes.)

   • 残念ながら、千穐楽公演は仕事で見に行けません。

     • Zannennagara, senshūraku kōen wa shigoto de mi ni ikemasen.

     • (Unfortunately, I can't go see the final performance due to work.)

2. 大相撲 (Sumo Wrestling):

   • 大相撲の九州場所は、今日が千穐楽です。

     • Ōzumo no Kyūshū-basho wa, kyō ga senshūraku desu.

     • (Today is the final day of the Kyushu Sumo Tournament.)

   • 新横綱の誕生で、千穐楽の盛り上がりは最高潮に達した。

     • Shin-yokozuna no tanjō de, senshūraku no moriagari wa saikōchō ni tasshita.

     • (With the birth of a new Yokozuna, the excitement of the final day reached its peak.)

3. 転じて、物事の最後 (Figuratively, the end of something):

   • 彼にとって、このプロジェクトの完了は、長年の努力の千穐楽だった。

     • Kare ni totte, kono purojekuto no kanryō wa, naganen no doryoku no senshūraku datta.

     • (For him, the completion of this project was the culmination/final act of many years of effort.)

   • 引退試合は、彼の選手生活の千穐楽となった。

     • Intai jiai wa, kare no senshu seikatsu no senshūraku to natta.

     • (The retirement game became the final act of his athletic career.)

In essence, "千穐楽" is a highly evocative term in Japanese that goes beyond simply meaning "the last day." It signifies the emotional and climactic conclusion of a series of performances or a significant endeavor, often associated with a sense of accomplishment and a bittersweet farewell.