Born in Edo in 1834. He was the nephew of Ichimura Uzaemon XII and the son of Zembei, the owner of the shibai jaya Kikuya, located within the Ichimuraza. He started his carrer at the Ichimuraza in January 1845, receiving the name of Ichimura Kitsuzô and playing in the drama "Soga Fûryû Karei no Harukoma". Later on, he settled in Kamigata and took the name of Bandô Kitsuzô. He was spotted by the star Nakamura Utaemon IV, who adopted him just before his death in February 1842. In order to commemorate the memory of his late adopted father, Bandô Kitsuzô took the name of Nakamura Kanjaku II in January 1853 at the Kado no Shibai, playing the roles of Soga Jûrô and Hakoômaru in the drama "Kagekiyo Soga Nigiwai Fujin". He spent all his time in Kyôto or Ôsaka and appeared on stage for the last time in November 1860, playing at the Kitagawa no Shibai the roles of Ofuna and Usami Sajûrô in the dramas "Yaguchi no Watashi" and "Igagoe Norikake Gappa". He died the 7th of January 1861 in Ôsaka.

Nakamura Kanjaku II, an actor nicknamed Kikuzen Kanjaku, was a good actor, who was able to play tachiyaku, katakiyaku or onnagata roles. He died before reaching the peak of his career.