Originally, on the list of casts that made up a troupe, the leading actor who played a prudent and reasonable man with dignity was called "Ichimaime," the actor who played a handsome man popular with women was called "Nimaime," and the actor who played a humorous man was called "Sanmaime."
一座を構成する配役の番付の上で、座頭にあたる思慮分別をわきまえた貫禄のある役を演じる役者を「一枚目」、女性にもてる美男子の役どころを「二枚目」、面白おかしい役を演じる役者を「三枚目」としていたことが起源。