Kabuki Actor, Tamasaburo Bando V (2011 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy) received the title of Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters), the highest cultural decoration in France, at a ceremony held at the Palais-Royal in Paris on February 19.
The honorary award is presented to individuals from France or other countries for outstanding artistic and cultural achievements. Tamasaburo’s selection reflects the high esteem in which he is held as an onnagata (actor of female roles).