BANDÔ SHÛCHÔ

FIVE GENERATIONS

Bandô Shûchô I

Almost no data on this disciple of Bandô Mitsugorô IV, who took the name of Bandô Shûchô I in 1854 in Edo. He played in the drama "Yowa Nasaki Ukina no Yokogushi", which was staged in Nagoya at the Wakamiya no Shibai in the 7th lunar month of 1854. He became a minor travelling actor and his name did not appear anymore in regular theaters banzuke. He played for example the role of Ôboshi Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1863 in Hiroshima, within the precinct of the Hongakuji Temple.

Bandô Shûchô I portraying Kaminari Shôkurô in a print made by Utagawa Kunisada I

Bandô Shûchô II

The actor Bandô Shûchô II held this name from February 1884 to September 1901.

Bandô Shûchô II playing the role of Asaji in the drama "Tôkyô Nichinichi Shimbun",
which was staged in October 1873 at the Moritaza
(print made by Toyohara Kunichika)

Bandô Shûchô III

The actor Bandô Shûchô III held this name from September 1904 to September 1935.

Bandô Shûchô III playing the role of Otoki in the drama "Yudono no Chôbê",
which was staged in January 1913 at the Hongôza

Bandô Shûchô IV

Born in Shizuoka prefecture the 30th of March 1901. He was adopted by the actor Bandô Shûchô III in 1905 and appeared on stage for the first time in November 1906, at the Shintomiza where he received the name of Bandô Katsumi. He became nadai in June 1922 and took the name of Bandô Katsutarô II at the Shintomiza, playing the role of Ushiwakamaru in the drama "Onna Kumazaka". His adoptive father died in September 1935 and he took the name of Bandô Shûchô IV in April 1940 at the Tôkyô Gekijô, playing in the drama "Kokaji". He died the 20th of December 1985.

Bandô Shûchô IV was a supporting actor, able to perform both onnagata and tachiyaku roles. He was also a famous teacher of the Bandô dance school, who taught his art under the name of Bandô Noshio.

Yagô	Honmyô
Yamatoya	Mizuta Haruo

Bandô Shûchô V

Bandô Shûchô V is the current holder of the name since September 1987.