Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Japanese Kabuki actor Matagoro Nakamura died yesterday of natural causes at the age of 94 at his Tokyo home, the Japan Times reported, citing information from theater operator Shochiku Co.

Matagoro, whose real name was Yukio Nakamura, was named a living national treasure in 1997, the newspaper reported. He made his debut in 1921 as a child actor and performed various Kabuki roles as well as acting in dramas and on television, the paper said.

Since the 1970s, the Tokyo native had devoted himself to nurturing young Kabuki actors while lecturing on the traditional performing art overseas to boost its recognition.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aya Takada in Tokyo atakada2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 21, 2009 22:25 EST