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Bandō Yajūrō

ばんどう やじゅうろう

Bandō Yajūrō

Aliases: 坂東弥十郎 / 本間 寿男
Pen Names: Suisu（Haiku pen name (used as a haiku poet)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1956-05-10 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, English, French
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Kabuki actor, Actor, Haiku poet
Active Years
1973-
Affiliations
Shochiku Entertainment (business tie)
Memberships
Traditional Kabuki Preservation Association
Influenced By
8th Bandō Mitsugorō, 14th Morita Kan'ya, 3rd Ichikawa Ennosuke (En'ō)
Influenced
Bandō Shingo

Education

Kojimachi Elementary School (Chiyoda Ward)
Country: Japan
Gyosei Junior & Senior High School
Country: Japan

Awards

Kabukiza Excellence Award
1984
Organization: Kabukiza
Result: 受賞
Kabukiza Prize
1998
Organization: Kabukiza Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Mayama Seika Encouragement Prize
1998
Organization: Mayama Seika Prize
Result: 受賞
Important Intangible Cultural Property (comprehensive certification)
2001
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Traditional Kabuki Preservation Association
Result: 認定
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) — 75th
2025
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) / Art Encouragement Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ninjōbanashi Bunshichi Motoyui (performance)

1978 Kabuki / Classical play

One of the roles associated with his name promotion; known for performances such as the head of the firefighters in this classical piece, which contributed to his recognition.

Duty and human feelingUrban commoner society
Adaptations
  • [Cinema Kabuki] Ninjōbanashi Bunshichi Motoyui (Cinema Kabuki) / 未設定 (2008)

The Summer Festival Naniwa Kagami (NY performances)

2003 Kabuki / Classical play

A well-received performance in New York with Heisei Nakamuraza; an example of introducing kabuki overseas.

RevengeHuman relationships

The Lion Dance (Renshishi) (performance)

2008 Kabuki / Noh-influenced

One of the representative plays he appeared in that was adapted into Cinema Kabuki as part of double features such as with 'Rakuda'.

Father-son bondTransmission of performance art

Adaptations

  • Numerous Cinema Kabuki works (e.g., Noda's 'Ken Tatsuno Utare', 'Renshishi', etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Powerful, assertive acting styleVersatility in tachiyaku (hero), villain and old-man roles
Recurring Motifs
Preservation of traditionInternational outreach and overseas performances

Legacy

Recognized for a long career spanning supporting to leading roles in kabuki, contributing to international promotion of kabuki and mentoring younger performers. Recipient of official cultural recognitions and multiple awards.

Academic Societies

  • Traditional Kabuki Preservation Association

Archives

  • Kabuki-related archives (performance materials, etc.)

In Popular Culture

  • Frequent appearances in TV dramas, films and commercials (e.g., 'Kamakura-dono no 13-nin', 'VIVANT', guest judge for NHK Kouhaku)

Quotes

  • I absolutely wanted to become a kabuki actor.
    Source: Interviews / Kabuki-bito and other profiles

Trivia

  • Height reported as 183 cm
  • Childhood nickname: 'Sanma' (mackerel pike)
  • Changed kanji spelling to 彌十郎 in 2007
  • Haiku pen name 'Suisu'; publishes haiku occasionally
  • Served as guest judge at the 73rd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen