is a stage name taken on by a series of

kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...

actors of the Bandō family. Of the five who have held this name, most were adopted into the lineage. Many members of the Bandō family were also adopted or blood members of the Morita family, who established and ran the

Morita-za The Morita-za (森田座・守田座), also known later as the Shintomi-za (新富座), was one of the major Kabuki theaters in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period and into the beginning of the 20th century. It was established in January 1 ...

theatre in

Edo Edo (), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo. Edo, formerly a (castle town) centered on Edo Castle located in Musashi Province, became the '' de facto'' capital of Japan from 1603 as the seat of the Tokugawa shogu ...

. Tamasaburō, like other actors' names, is bestowed (or given up) at grand naming ceremonies known as , in which a number of actors formally change their names. The name Tamasaburō is generally taken early in an actor's career; another name is taken afterwards.

Lineage

* Bandō Tamasaburō I (November 1824 - October 1839): the adopted son of

Bandō Mitsugorō III (1773–1831) was a prominent male kabuki actor. He was considered one of the best ''tachiyaku'' (strong male role specialists) of the early 19th century. He is famous for a great many roles, and for his rivalry with the Kamigata (Kyoto-Osaka) ac ...

, Tamasaburō I took this name upon his first stage appearance. * Bandō Tamasaburō II (November 1844 - January 1869): the adopted son of Tamasaburō I. *

Bandō Tamasaburō III Bandō may refer to: People *Eiji Bandō, Japanese entertainer/sportsman *Naoki Bandō, Japanese voice actor *, Japanese long-distance runner *, Japanese composer *Japanese surname, especially among Kabuki actors, such as: **Bandō Kakitsu I (1847� ...

(March 1889 - 1904): the daughter of Morita Kan'ya XII, Tamasaburō III joined an all-female kabuki troupe, which ultimately failed, before moving to

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. * Bandō Tamasaburō IV (July 1914 – December 1975): the grandson of Morita Kan'ya XII and the adopted son of Kan'ya XIII. *

Bandō Tamasaburō V (born 25 April 1950) is a Kabuki actor and the most popular and celebrated ''onnagata'' (an actor specializing in female roles) currently on stage. He has also acted in several films. Life and career Born in 1950, Shin'ichi Morita was adopte ...

(June 1964 – present): the adopted son of Tamasaburō IV, Tamasaburō V is currently the most popular actor in kabuki.

Notes

References

The Line of Bandō Tamasaburō at Kabuki21.com
Bando, Tamasaburo {{japan-stage-actor-stub