He was the second son of Kanze Tetsunojō VII, a descendant of Kan'ami and Zeami, who founded the Noh movement in the 14th century.
Trained alongside his brothers by his father and grandfather, Kanze made his Noh stage debut at the age of three.
After World War II ended, Kanze attended the Tokyo Music School, although he dropped out before completing his studies.
His activities caused an uproar in the Noh community, and he quit the movement, acting in conventional drama and films.
An elderly female passenger, believed to be a colleague, suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital.