Tamasaburo Bando has dedicated his life to the intimate study of women; the way they walk, the way they move, the way they hold their hands. And he is good at it. So good, in fact, that Japan has named him a National Living Treasure, an accolade given to individuals who are guardians of an important cultural asset. Bando, 62, is Japan’s leading specialist of “onnagata”-the theatrical portrayal of a female kabuki character by a male actor. “More than simply recognition, this anointment represents a duty, a moral obligation to future generations for those who practice and perpetuate traditional Japanese art forms,” Bando said in Tokyo. Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese theatre that has been performed in the country since the seventeenth century, combining dance, drama and music. As in its contemporary European equivalent, there are no women actors. The all male cast dons elaborate costumes and heavy makeup to perform on extravagant sets. “My main priority is to create a moment, a second on the stage, to share something with the audience… but if I never get there, if the people who come to watch me fail to appreciate it, then I will not be able to protect this treasure,” he said.
