Changes

The Morita-za experienced great success for a time, and took part in a number of major events along with the other three top theaters; for example, in [[1717]], [[Chikamatsu Monazemon|Chikamatsu]]'s ''[[Battles of Coxinga]]'', performed at the Morita-za and two other theaters, was the first instance of a ''[[bunraku]]'' puppet play being adapted to kabuki.

The Morita-za experienced great success for a time, and took part in a number of major events along with the other three top theaters; for example, in [[1717]], [[Chikamatsu Monazemon|Chikamatsu]]'s ''[[Battles of Coxinga]]'', performed at the Morita-za and two other theaters, was the first instance of a ''[[bunraku]]'' puppet play being adapted to kabuki.

However, in [[1734]], the Morita-za went bankrupt, and was forced to transfer the rights to its performances to another theatre, through the ''[[hikae yagura]]'' system. [[Kawarazaki Gonnosuke III]] of the [[Kawarazaki-za]], took over the Morita-za's place as a designated theater for a decade or so. This relationship between the two theaters would continue through the Edo period, as the Morita-za went bankrupt numerous times in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

However, in [[1734]], the Morita-za went bankrupt, and was forced to transfer the rights to its performances to another theatre, through the ''[[hikae yagura]]'' system. [[Kawarazaki Gonnosuke III]] of the [[Kawarazaki-za]], took over the Morita-za's place as a designated theater for a decade or so. This relationship between the two theaters would continue through the Edo period, as the Morita-za, always the lowest-ranking and least financially stable of the three or four licensed theatres,<ref>Timothy Clark, "Edo Kabuki in the 1780s," ''The Actor's Image'', Art Institute of Chicago (1994), 28.</ref> went bankrupt numerous times in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Though on shaky ground in terms of financial stability, the Morita-za would see a great number of significant kabuki events over the following decades, including the introductory performances of many now-famous plays, and other such special occasions. In [[1781]], [[Ichikawa Danzo IV|Ichikawa Danzô IV]], performing at the Morita-za, became the first performer to take on seven roles in the grand epic ''[[Kanadehon Chushingura|Kanadehon Chûshingura]]'' (The Tale of [[the 47 Ronin]]).

Though on shaky ground in terms of financial stability, the Morita-za would see a great number of significant kabuki events over the following decades, including the introductory performances of many now-famous plays, and other such special occasions. In [[1781]], [[Ichikawa Danzo IV|Ichikawa Danzô IV]], performing at the Morita-za, became the first performer to take on seven roles in the grand epic ''[[Kanadehon Chushingura|Kanadehon Chûshingura]]'' (The Tale of [[the 47 Ronin]]).

==Reference==

==Reference==

*[http://kabuki21.com/moritaza.php Morita-za at Kabuki21.com]

*[http://kabuki21.com/moritaza.php Morita-za at Kabuki21.com]

==External Links==

==External Links==