Konpira Grand Theatre (Kanamaruza)
- 旧金毘羅大芝居
- Kotohira, Marugame, & Sakaide
Since the Edo period, the old Konpira Grand Theatre has been the site of theatrical performances, sumo wrestling, entertainment, puppet shows, etc. The Konpira Grand Theatre was constructed in 1835, based on the scale and structure of the Onishi Theatre.
Later, along with other theaters in the major cities of Edo, Osaka, and Kyoto, this theater became nationally known, and many of the most prestigious actors gathered from the East and West to perform on the stage.
After the Meiji period, with each change of owner, the name changed to "Inari-za," "Chitose-za," and "Kanamaru-za," and over time, the building was transformed into a movie theater. Eventually, the theater faded away and was abandoned, but the people of the town promoted preservation efforts, and in 1970, it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
The Old Konpira Grand Theatre is the oldest existing playhouse in Japan and is a deeply historical place where the stage set is all human-powered.