ABSTRACT
When a Sarugaku 1 is performed it is necessary that exactly the right moment should be chosen for the sashi 2 and issei. 3 It is bad to begin them too soon and bad to begin them too late. When the actor leaves the gaku-ya 4 and advances on to the hashigakari 5 he should pause for a moment to scan his audience. He must not begin to chant till he hears a simultaneous murmur of “Now he is going to begin!” arise in every part of the theatre. If he waits thus till he has secured everyone’s attention, his opening will produce the proper effect.
