Tsumasaburō Bandō

was one of the most prominent Japanese actors of the twentieth century. Famous for his rebellious, sword fighting roles in many jidaigeki silent films, he rose to fame after joining the Tōjiin Studio of Makino Film Productions in Kyoto in 1923.

Life

Early life

Bantsuma, birth name Denkichi Tamura, was born in Kodenmachō, Nihonbashi, Tokyo. At school, he was often the leader of the pack and was actively involved in plays. While performing in a school play, Bantsuma froze on stage, unable to recite his lines. Embarrassed, he ran off and stayed in his room, weeping for 10 days. It is said that during this time, he vowed to become someone who would be admired by all.

After the death of his mother, his father's business soon went bankrupt and Bantsuma was unable to continue his education. After finishing elementary school, he became an apprentice and pupil to Kataoka Nizaemon, a famous kabuki actor.

Filmography Kosuzume Toge (1923, Director: Numata Koroku) Gyakuryu (1924, Director: Buntaro Futagawa) Kageboshi (1925, Director: Buntaro Futagawa) Orochi (1925, Director: Buntaro Futagawa) Ranto no Chimata (1926, Director: Yasuda Kempo) Chizome no Jujika (1927, Director: Norikuni Yasuda) Sakamoto Ryoma (1928, Director: Edamasa Yoshiro) Karasu-gumi (1930, Director: Minoru Inuzuka) Koina no Ginpei, Yuki no Wataridori (1931, Director: Tomikazu Miyata) Sunae Shibari-Morio Jushiro (1935, Director: Minoru Inuzuka) Niino Tsuruchiyo (1935, Director: Ito Daisuke) Chikemuri Takadanobaba (1937, Director: Hiroshi Inagaki) Chushingura (1938, Director: Makino Masahiro, Ikeda Tomiyasu) Mazo (1938, Director: Hiroshi Inagaki) Zoku Mazo-Ibara Ukon (1939, Hiroshi Inagaki) Tsubanari Ronin (1939, Director: Ryohei Arai) Zoku Tsubanari Ronin (1940, Director: Ryohei Arai) Muhomatsu no issho (1943, Director: Inagaki Hiroshi) Noroshi wa Shanghai ni agaru (1944, Director: Hiroshi Inagaki, Feng Yuek) Tokai Suikoden (1945, Director: Hiroshi Inagaki, Daisuke Itō) Suronin Makaritoru (1947, Director: Daisuke Itō) Tsukinode no Ketto (1947, Director: Santaro Marune) Oushou (1948, Director: Daisuke Itō) Yabure-daiko (1949, Director: Keisuke Kinoshita) Oboro Kago (1951, Director: Daisuke Itō) Oedo Go-nin Otoko (1951, Director: Daisuke Itō) Inazuma Soshi (1951, Director: Hiroshi Inagaki) Abare-jishi (1953, Director: Osone Tatsuo)