Suzuki Yukiko, the daughter of the Meiji actor Ichikawa Sadanji I, made a short career in a Kabuki women troupe, playing under the name of Ichikawa Shôchô. She became later on the wife of Ichikawa Shôchô II.

The actor Ichikawa Sadanji I's haimyô was Shôchô and, although he never officially held the name of Ichikawa Shôchô I, he was considered as the founder of the line.