After graduating in 1916 from the higher course of an elementary school under the old system, he became a pupil of the eleventh Nizaemon KATAOKA and made his debut in 1918.
1916年（大正5年）旧制・尋常小学校高等科を卒業後、片岡仁左衛門(11代目)に入門、1918年（大正7年）に初舞台を踏む。