 The design was based on that of the Ōnishi Theatre of Osaka, and the construction costs, amounting to roughly 1000 "ryō", were raised by the local geisha community.The theatre was originally controlled by the Kanemitsu-in, a local Buddhist temple, but in 1877 came to be owned by a man by the name of Kyōhō, an "otokodate", wealthy merchant, gang leader, and head of the local fire brigade.He changed the name of the theatre to the Inari-za (named after the Shintō deity Inari), and ran full-day programs as many other major theatres throughout the country began to cut down and only show selected scenes for a few hours a day.