He made his first appearance on stage in August 1943 by the name, Tsurunosuke BANDO IV, performing as Kocho of "Kagamijishi" (The Lion Dance) at Osaka Nakaza theater.
1943年（昭和18年）8月、大阪中座「鏡獅子」の胡蝶で四代目坂東鶴之助を名乗り初舞台。