He began an apprenticeship under Ichizo KATAOKA, a member of the acting troupe led by Tomomatsu OTANI, and first debuted on stage under the stage name 'Ichitaro KATAOKA' at the Masagoza Theater in Kyoto.
大谷友松一座の片岡市蔵に弟子入りし、「片岡市太郎」を名乗って京都「真砂座」初舞台を踏む。