Takenaka Corporation
The Takarazuka Grand Theater opened in July 1924. At the time of its establishment it was the largest theater in Asia; sources alternately report its audience capacity as between 3,000 and 4,200. The theater was designed by two architects from the Takenaka Corporation: Washio Kuro, who oversaw the design of the building (and who later designed the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater), and Fujii Yatarō, who oversaw the design of the stage and audience seating area. The theater featured modern amenities such as a revolving stage, hydraulic trap lifts, and lighting and sound systems, as well as restaurants, cafes, and souvenir stores. Its design, similar to that of a department store, has been cited as an example of Hanshinkan Modernism.