He was a great actor who had played in theatres in the Kansai region; he excelled in 'shosa' (movement and manner) and especially good at graceful movements taking advantage of his over-weight body; when acting the roles of 'kuge-aku' (vicious court noble) or 'muhon-nin' (rebel) aiming to dominate over the whole country, he was regarded as the best.
初代は所作に優れた上方歌舞伎の名優で、肥満体でみせる上品な芸は公家悪や天下をねらう謀反人を演じたら右に出る者はいないと言われた。