Dates of birth and death unknown. His first stage name was Segawa Chôgorô and he was recorded for the first time in the 11th lunar month of 1777 as an iroko performing at the Nakamuraza. Was he a disciple of Segawa Kikunojô III? He became later a wakashugata. He joined the Onoe clan led by Ôkawa Kikugorô III in Fall 1817 and received the name of Onoe Kôzô I in the 11th lunar month of 1817. He was active in Edo up to 1823, performing as a katakiyaku or a jitsuaku. No record afterwards.

The actor Onoe Kôzô II held this name from the 8th lunar month of 1868 ^[1] (or the 8th lunar month of 1871 ^[2]) to February 1934.