Bandō Tamasaburō

Who is Bandō Tamasaburō?

Bandō Tamasaburō is a stage name taken on by a series of Kabuki 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 theatre in Edo.

Tamasaburō, like other actors' names, is bestowed at grand naming ceremonies called shūmei 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.