Nakamura Gankyō (AKA Bandō Hirohichirō) was born and raised in Southern California. He started his Nihon Buyō (Japanese Classical dance) training at the age of three from the Bandō School of Japanese Classical dance. As a young performer, Gankyō traveled through out the United States, introducing Nihon Buyō at various Matsuri, or Japanese festivals, and other multicultural events. At the age of seventeen, Gankyō attained his natori (masters degree) from the ninth headmaster and Kabuki actor, Bandō Mitsugorō. He was awarded the name of Bandō Hiroshichirō. At the age of twenty-six, Gankyō was awarded his shihan (professor’s degree) from Bandō Mitsugorō X.

Gankyō was accepted to one of the 2 Kabuki schools in Japan – Shochiku Kamigata Kabuki Jyūku in Osaka. The school was a two year training program for future Kansai Kabuki actors. Gankyō was trained in Sado (tea ceremony), Ikebana (flower arrangement), koto, shamisen, narimon (percussion), wasai (sewing), Japanese history, rakugo (Japanese traditional comedy telling), Tokiwazu taught by National Living Treasure Tokiwazu Ichihadaiyu, Gidayū, Nagauta, Shodo, Nihon Buyō, Jiuta, Jiutamai etc. Outside of the Kabuki school, Gankyō continued his education in the arts by studying noh drama, shishū (Japanese embroidery), and kimekomi dolls. After the two years, Gankyō graduated first in his class, being the first Non-Japanese citizen to be accepted into the school.

Upon graduation, Gankyō was accepted to be the youngest member of the Chikamatsu-za Troop, and was apprenticed to the National Living Treasure Nakamura Ganjirō III, now Sakata Tōjūrō IV. He became the first non Japanese citizen to be accepted into the professional ranks of Kabuki in the theater’s history. Tōjūrō award him with the name of Nakamura Gankyō (the “gan” from Ganjiro, and “kyō” from Kyoto).

As a professional Kabuki actor, Gankyō has performed in all of the major Kabuki theaters throughout Japan. He has traveled internationally to England, China, Korea, India, Canada, and the United States. He has held work shops, demonstrations, and lectures, and also accompanied his master Tōjūrō on various performances in those countries. 

While working occasionally in both the television and film industry (upcoming feature: Netflix’s Kate), he completed his PhD at UCLA in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures specializing in Premodern Japanese Literature and Performing Arts. He was chosen as a Fulbright Scholar for 2013-2015 as a Researching scholar at Waseda University and Tokyo University.

Under his group Bandō Ryū “Kyō no Kai” he also teaches Japanese Classical dance through out California, New York Boston, and Japan. 

Gankyō is also the official representative of the Bandō School of Japanese Classical Dance to the United States, the youngest ever appointed by the Bandō School (Tokyō, Japan) and headmaster, Bandō Minosuke.

Photographer: Conant

Tokiwazu "Kaminari Sendō" 常磐津「雷船頭」

Performance: "Kyo no Kai: Clash of the Thunder" 9/2011