However, at that time even in acting important parts such as Obo kichisa in "Sannin Kichisa Kuruwano no Hatsugai" or Shinzaburo HOZUMI in "Hachiman Matsuri Yomiya no Nigiwai [Chizimiya Shinsuke]," his stiff performances and plain speaking of his lines brought him bitter criticisms of a "daikon" (ham) or the "tea urn Gon-chan."
しかし当時は『三人吉三廓初買』のお坊吉三や、『八幡祭小望月賑』（縮屋新助）の穂積新三郎などの大役を与えられても、演技が堅く科白も工夫がないので「大根」だの「お茶壺権ちゃん」だのと酷評された。