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

Entering UCLA and majoring in Political Science, Gankyo was an active member of the Nikkei Student Union, choreographing the “Odori” section of the NSU Culture Night Program. He also helped with UCI’s culture night program, as well as the UCLA and Chapman College International Week. During his junior year at UCLA, he was selected to participate in the Education Aboard Program to study at Tokyo University, Komaba.

During his study abroad in Tokyo, Gankyo was accepted to one of the 2 Kabuki schools in Japan – Shochiku Kamigata Kabuki Jyuku in Osaka. The school was a two year training program for future Kansai Kabuki actors. Gankyo 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, Gidayu, Nagauta, Shodo, Nihon Buyo, etc. After the two years, Gankyo graduated first in his class, being the first Non-Japanese citizen to be accepted into the school.

Upon graduation, Gankyo was accepted to be the youngest member of the Chikamatsu-za Troop, and was apprenticed to the National Living Treasure Nakamura Ganjiro III, now Sakata Tojyuro IV. He became the first non Japanese citizen to be accepted into the professional ranks of Kabuki in the theater’s 405 year history. Tojyuro award him with the name of Nakamura Gankyo (the “gan” from Ganjiro, and “kyo” from Kyoto).

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

Gankyo trains under Sakata Tojyuro, Kanze Noh School, Ikenobo Flower School, Urasenkei Tea Ceremony School, Kikuhara Jyuuta School, Semba Kaori School of Narimono, and Azuma, Bando, Fujima, and Yamaura Schools of Japanese Classical dance.

Gankyo’s dream now after receiving his training is to introduce the Japanese Culture into the American Communities and eventually, globally. Through “Kyo no Kai,” he hopes to raise the awareness of Japanese Culture and overcome cultural barriers.