Born in Tôkyô the 13th of December 1913. Disciple of Sawamura Sôjûrô VII, he made his debut on stage in September 1924 at the Asakusa Kôen Gekijô, where he received the name of Sawamura Sômaru and played a kamuro role in the drama "Kurotegumi Sukeroku". He joined Ichikawa Sadanji II and received the name of Ichikawa Matsuyo at an unknown date. He left the Ichikawa clan for the Sawamura clan and took the name of Sawamura Tokiyo in October 1936. He became Sawamura Tôkitsu III in October 1941 ^[1] at the Kabukiza, where he played the role of the koshimoto Momiji in the drama "Kiri Hitoha". He took the name of Sawamura Monnosuke IV in September 1953 at the Kabukiza ^[2], playing the role of the koshimoto Yoshino in the drama "Yudono no Chôbê". He became a disciple of Morita Kan'ya XIV and received the name of Bandô Tamon III in January 1961 at the Kabukiza ^[3], playing the role of the courtesan Nakamanjiya Ochô in the drama "Yoshiwara Gitsune". After the passing away of Morita Kan'ya XIV, he became a disciple of Bandô Tamasaburô V. He died the 21st of September 1987.

The actor Sawamura Sônosuke III held the name of Sawamura Sômaru II from September 1981 to August 1999.