This is in contrast to the vast majority of kabuki actors, who specialize in only playing women, heroes, villains, or other particular types of roles.

Kikugorō was close friends with the playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV, who wrote the role of Oiwa, in the play Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan, specifically for him.

His rivalry with fellow actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII added to the excitement and appeal of their many performances together.

He entered retirement in September 1847, after a final performance at the Ichimura-za, in a program called "Onoe Baiju Ichidai Banashi" after him.

Settling in Osaka towards the end of 1848, he fell ill the following year and died at the Kakegawa station on the Tōkaidō post road.