When he was performing actively mainly in Kamigata (Kyoto and Osaka) at a younger age, he was called 'Senkaku duo' along with Tojuro SAKATA for their beauty, and won immense popularity.
若年時上方を中心に活躍した際には、坂田藤十郎(4代目)とともに、その美貌から「扇鶴コンビ」と呼ばれ人気を博した。