Changes

The practice began in [[1641]], as part of celebrations of the birth of [[Tokugawa Ietsuna]], a new shogunal heir. From then on, it was practiced in conjunction with celebrations of events occurring within the [[Tokugawa clan|Tokugawa household]], such as when a new heir was born, when he officially came of age or was married, when a new shogun was invested, and on New Year's.

The practice began in [[1641]], as part of celebrations of the birth of [[Tokugawa Ietsuna]], a new shogunal heir. From then on, it was practiced in conjunction with celebrations of events occurring within the [[Tokugawa clan|Tokugawa household]], such as when a new heir was born, when he officially came of age or was married, when a new shogun was invested, and on New Year's.

The stage was set up across from the ''Ôhiroma'' (main audience hall), such that the shogun and a number of his retainers seated within the hall, or on its veranda, were afforded an excellent view. Those commoners who were invited were permitted to sit to one side of a section of white gravel strewn in front of the stage. For this most special occasion, many wore their best ''kamishimo''<ref>lit. "above and below," meaning kimono with ''[[hakama]]'' and ''[[kataginu]]'' over-jacket.</ref>, albeit with the pieces of whalebone removed from the shoulders of their ''[[kataginu]]'', so that the numerous commoners could fit more easily into the limited space. They were, however, permitted to watch only half of the day's performance. According to [[Matsuura Seizan]], on one particular occasion, more than 5000 commoners witnessed the morning performance, and over 2500 the remaining half, that afternoon. Commoners invited and attending the performances were given umbrellas, cakes, and [[sake|saké]], as well as, afterwards, some amount of money.<ref>Walthall, 354n36.</ref>

The stage was set up across from the ''Ôhiroma'' (main audience hall), such that the shogun and a number of his retainers seated within the hall, or on its veranda, were afforded an excellent view. Those commoners who were invited were permitted to sit to one side of a section of white gravel strewn in front of the stage. For this most special occasion, many wore their best ''kamishimo''<ref>lit. "above and below," meaning kimono with ''[[hakama]]'' and ''[[kataginu]]'' over-jacket.</ref>, albeit with the pieces of whalebone removed from the shoulders of their ''[[kataginu]]'', so that the numerous commoners could fit more easily into the limited space. They were, however, permitted to watch only half of the day's performance. According to [[Matsura Seizan]], on one particular occasion, more than 5000 commoners witnessed the morning performance, and over 2500 the remaining half, that afternoon. Commoners invited and attending the performances were given umbrellas, cakes, and [[sake|saké]], as well as, afterwards, some amount of money.<ref>Walthall, 354n36.</ref>

At times, the shogun would permit the screen screening him from view to be raised briefly; a call of ''yaa''! would be called out, and people would turn to catch a most rare and precious glimpse of the shogun, himself, a sight ordinarily heavily restricted.

At times, the shogun would permit the screen screening him from view to be raised briefly; a call of ''yaa''! would be called out, and people would turn to catch a most rare and precious glimpse of the shogun, himself, a sight ordinarily heavily restricted.