is a stage name taken on by a series of

kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance- drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. Kabuki is though ...

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 ...

theatre in Edo. 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, 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 (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 or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

. * 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 a handful of films. Life and career Born in 1950, Shin'ichi Morita was a ...

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

Notes

References

Bibliography

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