Nakamura Ganjirô

Nakamura Ganjirô II was born into a distinguished Kabuki lineage, the son of Ganjirô I. He inherited his father’s name and position, becoming a master of the art form, particularly in the wagoto (romantic lead) style. In 1967, he was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government.

Though primarily a stage actor, Ganjirô II had a significant film career, notably with Daiei Studios. He worked with legendary directors such as Ozu Yasujirô in Floating Weeds (1959), where he played the leader of a traveling theater troupe, and Ichikawa Kon in Odd Obsession (1959) and Conflagration (1958). He also appeared in Kurosawa Akira’s The Lower Depths (1957). His son, Sakata Tojurô IV, succeeded him as Ganjirô III.