 In 1781, Ichikawa Danzō IV, performing at the Morita-za, became the first performer to take on seven roles in the grand epic "Chushingura" (The Tale of the 47 Ronin).In 1858, after a number of closings and reopenings of the theater, the Morita-za opened once more, changing its name, however, from 「森田座」 to 「守田座」 (both are pronounced the same, as "Morita-za").The character 守 ("mori") means "protection", and this change was perhaps made to seek better luck for the theater, and protection from fire and from bankruptcy.