 Destroyed by fire twice in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the theatre was rebuilt almost immediately in both instances, and saw the installation of electricity when rebuilt in 1884.In 1920, the theatre was bought by production company Shōchiku, and renamed Naka-za.In November 1927, during a performance of "Honzō Shimoyashiki", actor Nakamura Jakuemon II collapsed and died on stage.