chikamatsu: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist/Literary)Formal, academic, literary, historical
Quick answer
What does “chikamatsu” mean?
A proper noun referring to the Japanese playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653–1725), a master of bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to the Japanese playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653–1725), a master of bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki.
Often used metonymically to refer to classical Japanese theatrical traditions, particularly the jōruri (puppet theater) style for which he wrote, or to denote works characterized by his themes of duty, emotion, and tragic conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Usage is consistent in academic and literary circles in both regions.
Connotations
Carries connotations of scholarly expertise, cultural sophistication, and specific interest in Japanese arts.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse in both the UK and US. Slightly higher frequency in university towns or cities with strong Asian studies departments.
Grammar
How to Use “chikamatsu” in a Sentence
Chikamatsu + verb (wrote, dramatized, explored)Chikamatsu's + noun (play, work, legacy)Adjective + Chikamatsu (the great Chikamatsu, the prolific Chikamatsu)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chikamatsu” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The production had a distinctly Chikamatsu feel in its moral complexity.
- Her thesis focused on Chikamatsu studies.
American English
- The film's plot was almost Chikamatsu-like in its tragic structure.
- He is a leading Chikamatsu scholar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in papers, lectures, and textbooks on theater history, Japanese literature, or world drama.
Everyday
Extremely rare unless in specific cultural conversations.
Technical
Used in specialized fields of Japanese studies, comparative literature, and theater criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chikamatsu”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chikamatsu”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chikamatsu”
- Misspelling as 'Chikimatsu', 'Chikamatzu', or 'Chikamatsu' without the terminal 'u'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a chikamatsu' is incorrect).
- Mispronouncing the 'tsu' as 'su' or 'zu'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a surname. 'Monzaemon' was his given name. He is properly referred to as Chikamatsu Monzaemon or simply Chikamatsu.
No. It refers specifically to the works of that playwright. Using it generically would be incorrect, similar to using 'Shakespeare' to mean any English play.
His plays explore timeless themes of love, duty, social obligation, and sacrifice, making them subjects of ongoing study and modern adaptations worldwide.
The 'tsu' is pronounced as a single syllable, like the 'ts' in 'cats' followed immediately by a short 'u' sound (as in 'put'). It is not 'tsoo' or 'su'.
A proper noun referring to the Japanese playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653–1725), a master of bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki.
Chikamatsu is usually formal, academic, literary, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Chikamatsu-esque tragedy (referring to a conflict between duty and human emotion)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHIKA' like the start of 'chicken' (a common word) and 'MATSU' like 'mats' you sit on. Imagine a chicken sitting on a mat, watching a classic Japanese puppet play.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHIKAMATSU IS A FOUNDATION/PEAK: He is often conceptualized as the bedrock or pinnacle of a tradition (e.g., 'the foundation of modern Japanese drama').
Practice
Quiz
Chikamatsu Monzaemon is most closely associated with which form of traditional Japanese theater?