Name Nakamura V Spouse Masae Hashizume (m. 1996) | Role Actor Movies Sharaku, Gakko II | |
Died January 3, 2011, Tokyo, Japan Children Nakamura Takanosuke, Aiko Watanabe Parents Azuma Tokuho, Nakamura Tomijuro IV Similar People Ichimura Uzaemon XV, Masahiro Shinoda, Yoji Yamada | ||
Nakamura Tomijuro V (五代目 中村 富十郎, Godaime Nakamura Tomijuro, June 4, 1929 – January 3, 2011) was a Japanese Kabuki actor and Living National Treasures of Japan. Tomijuro work in Kabuki included the role of Musashibo Benkei, a Japanese warrior monk, in the drama, Kanjincho. Outside of Japan, Tomijuro toured performed in the United States and Europe.
Tomijuro was born Hajime Watanabe to Nakamura Tomijuro IV and dancer, Tokuho Azuma. He made his theater debut in 1943 using the stage name, Bando Tsurunosuke. In 1964, he became the sixth Ichimura Takenojo, another stage name. He further became the fifth Nakamura Tomijuro in 1972, succeeding his father's stage title.
In addition to Kabuki, Tomijuro also appeared in film and television roles during his career. His film roles included Sharaku in 1995 and Gakko II in 1996. Tomijuro's television credits included 1980's Shishi no Jidai (The Era of Lion) and the 1974 television series, Katsu Kaishu, based on the life of Katsu Kaishu.
Tomijuro was named a Living National Treasures of Japan in 1994. He was inducted into the Japan Art Academy in 1996 and was further honored as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2008.
A native of Tokyo, Tomijuro stopped performing Kabuki in November 2010 due to declining health. He died from rectal cancer at a hospital in Tokyo on January 3, 2011, at the age of 81. He was survived by a daughter, who was born in 2003, when Tomijuro was 74 years old.