He was praised as one of 'the big four' as well as his fellow disciples Bunza KATSURA the first (Bunshi KATSURA the second), Bunto KATSURA the second (Bunto TSUKITEI) and Bundanzi KATSURA the first.
同門の初代桂文三（二代目桂文枝）、二代目桂文都（月亭文都）、初代桂文團治と共に、「四天王」と称えられた。