He was the fifth son of Danjuro ICHIKAWA (the seventh), adopted by Gonnosuke KAWARASAKI, the Zamoto (leader of a theatrical company) of the Edo Sanza (Edo's three licensed kabuki theaters), and succeeded to the name Chojuro KAWARASAKI.
市川團十郎(7代目)の五男で、生後まもなく江戸三座の座元・河原崎権之助の養子になり三代目河原崎長十郎を襲名する。