明治、大正、昭和初期当時は娯楽が少なかったため、このような劇場が日本各地に数百カ所点在していたようだが、今も尚その姿を残しているのは全国でも六ヶ所しかなく、大変希少価値のあるものだ。

　毎年８月１５日、１６日に開催される夏の火の祭典「山鹿灯籠まつり」、８００年の歴史を誇る「山鹿温泉」、装飾古墳の代表格「チブサン古墳」など、歴史と伝統に包まれた熊本県北部の魅力ある温泉町へ、是非足を運んで頂きたい。
→★八千代座のページへ

■The Yachiyoza Theater was built with the support of the Yamaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1910. At that time, Yamaga was prosperous as a center of commerce and industry in northern area of Kumamoto Prefecture, and was famed for its hot springs throughout Japan.
■The Theater was built for tow reasons, the first of which was the desire of the people of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to invite their clients out to express their appreciation. And the second points was the high interest shown by the people of Yamaga in popular culture of all types, including the theater.
■The Yachiyoza Theater opened in January 1911, presenting a kabuki drama performed by the Matsushimaya Family. The performance created a sensation throughout the town. The Yachiyoza reached the peak of its popularity in the latter half of the Taisho(1912-1925) and the early Show(1926-1988) eras.
■In the Thaisho era, other forms of entertainment such as silent movies and naniwa-bushi recitals also became popular, joining traditional theater and kabuki drama. In particular, the kabuki drama performed by woman proved extremely popular with the people of Yamaga. In 1917, Tolstoy's "Resurrection" was performed, and a song from the play became a super hit.
■In the Show era, the Yachiyoza Theater began to offer a variety of events: lectures, composite plays where actors performed on stage against images projected on the screen, and competitions for judo, sumo wrestling and boxing. With the end of World War II in 1945, violin recitals and ballet performance were held, inviting famous artists from across the nation. Between 1955 and 1964, the movie industry was in its most vigorous period, and countless movies were screened at the Yachiyoza Theater.