Morita Hisashi (January 23, 1956 – February 21, 2015) was a Japanese Kabuki actor, television presenter, and writer.

Born as the eldest son of the Yamatoya guild, his grandfather was Bando Mitsugoro VIII, one of Japan's most revered kabuki actors who was designated as a "Living National Treasure" by the Japanese government in 1973. His father was Bando Mitsugoro IX who was also a Kabuki icon.

Morita made his first appearance on stage in September 1962, receiving the name of Bando Yasosuke V during a special name-taking ceremony for 3 generations of actors belonging to the Yamatoya guild. Throughout his career, Morita had performed numerous revival acts, and extensively tour around the world to preserve and promote the Kabuki traditions. He was awarded the Japan Art Academy Prize in 2006, and the Matsuo Performing Arts Awards in 2009. In the same year, received the Medal with Purple Ribbon. In 2015, the Order of the Rising Sun was awarded.

On screen, Morita is internationally best known for portraying the role of the young bonze Mizoguchi in"Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters", directed by Paul Shrader. He appeared in several Taiga drama and Jidaigeki films such as "Senhime", "Takeda Shingen" and "Rikyu", as well as in Renzoku dramas, notably "Unubore Deka" and "Roosevelt Game". Morita was known for his love and passion for Japanese castle architecture. He had released a couple of books about castles as well as produced and narrated several travelogue programs.

In his private life, Morita was twice married and divorced. His first wife was a former Takarazuka Revue actress Kotobuki Hizuru with whom he had two children. The eldest daughter is actress Morita Nao, and the younger son is Kabuki actor and musician Morita Mitsuhisa, known professionally as Bando Minosuke II. His brief second marriage was with Kondo Sato, a former Fuji TV announcer.

Morita passed away of pancreatic cancer on February 21, 2015. Edit Biography