After the Meiwa era (1764 - 1772), when Mingaku was most prosperous, Mingaku declined rapidly due to an increase in the popularity of Shingaku (Qing-era Chinese music, popularized in Japan during the early 19th century), which incorporated certain characteristics of Mingaku.
明和年間(1764年－1772年)に最盛期を迎えた明楽は、清楽(しんがく)の流行に押されて急速にすたれ、その一部は清楽に取り入れられた。