Theater, Cinema

Tamasaburo Bando V

Japan / April 25, 1950
Kabuki Actor

"A Creator of Elegant Beauty Whose Artistry with Kabuki at Its Core Crosses Many Genres of Performing Arts"
Tamasaburo Bando, as a male actor specializing in female roles, has created his own unique world with his performances in Kabuki and established his position as the leading actor of female roles, although not born into a Kabuki family. He is also an internationally active performer in various genres of performing arts and holds countless audiences spellbound with his unsurpassed artistry.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

1950	Born in Tokyo, Japan
1957	Debut under the stage name of Kinoji Bando
1964	Succession to the 5th Tamasaburo Bando
1969	Plays the role of Princess Shiranui in Chinsetsu Yumiharizuki (The Moon Like a Drawn Bow) written by Yukio Mishima
1975	Plays the role of Princess Sakura in Sakurahime Azuma Bunsho (The Scarlet Princess of Edo)
1984	Invited and performs Sagi Musume (The Heron Maiden) in the Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala
1988	Appears in the Béjart’s Ballet Gala choreographed by Maurice Béjart
1989	Stars in the theatrical piece Nastasja directed by Andrzej Wajda
1991	Directs his first film Gekashitsu (The Operating Room)
1995	Plays the role of Masaoka in Meiboku Sendai Hagi (The Disputed Succession)
2008	Stars in the Kunqu opera The Peony Pavilion in Beijing

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS

1991	Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France)
1997	Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, Foundation d'Enterprise Montblanc de la Culture
1997	Mainichi Art Award, The Mainichi Newspapers
2009	Kikuchi Kan Prize, Society for the Promotion of Japanese Literature

MAJOR ROLES

PLAY	ROLE
Sakurahime Azuma Bunsho (The Scarlet Princess of Edo)	Princess Sakura
Narukami (Thunder God)	Princess Taema
Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura (Flower of Edo)	Agemaki
Meiboku Sendai Hagi (The Disputed Succession)	Masaoka
Dannoura Kabuto Gunki (The Courtesan Akoya)	Akoya
Sagi Musume (The Heron Maiden)	Spirit of the Heron
Tenshu Monogatari (The Castle Tower)	Princess Tomi

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