Nakamura Ganjirō II

was a Japanese Kabuki and film actor. He was one of the most influential Kabuki actors in the post-World War II era, and also appeared in more than 70 films between 1941 and 1980, directed by notable filmmakers such as Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Akira Kurosawa, and Mikio Naruse.

For his contributions to Kabuki, Nakamura was awarded the title of Living National Treasure by the Japanese government in 1967, one of several civil honours he received in his lifetime. His son, Sakata Tōjūrō IV, was also a renowned kabuki actor.

Lineage

Born into a renowned Kabuki acting family from Kansai, Ganjirō II was the youngest son of Nakamura Ganjirō I, one of the most celebrated Kabuki actors from the 1870s to the 1930s and grandson of Nakamura Kanjaku III, one of the most outstanding kaneru yakusha in the history of Kabuki theater.

His older brother, Hayashi Mataichirō II was a Kabuki actor like him and was known for his spectacular and outstanding skills as a Kabuki dancer.

Ganjirō II was the second in the line of actors to inherit the prestigious name Nakamura Ganjirō (the first being his father, Nakamura Ganjirō I) and his son and his eldest grandson would also inherit the name, being known respectively as Nakamura Ganjirō III (currently Sakata Tōjūrō IV) and Nakamura Ganjirō IV.

Before being known as Nakamura Ganjirō II, he was known as Nakamura Senjaku I and his son and youngest grandson would inherit the name Nakamura Senjaku, being known respectively as Nakamura Senjaku II (currently Sakata Tōjūrō IV) and Nakamura Senjaku III.

His two great-grandsons are also Kabuki actors, Nakamura Kazutarō (son of Nakamura Ganjirō IV) and Nakamura Toranosuke (son of Nakamura Senjaku III). Due to the fact that he is the son and heir of Ganjirō IV (eldest son of Sakata Tōjūrō IV and eldest grandson of Ganjirō II) and the eldest great-grandson of Ganjirō II, Kazutarō is expected to become the head of the Kamigata branch of the Narikomaya house and inherit the name Nakamura Ganjirō V (五代目 中村鴈治郎) in a near future.

Filmography Film

Television

Honors 1967 – Living National Treasure 1968 – Medal with Purple Ribbon 1974 – Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon 1980 – Person of Cultural Merit 1983 – Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class, Gold and Silver Star (posthumous) 1983 – Senior fourth rank (posthumous)