Otojirō Kawakami is a young man from Fukuoka Prefecture who aspires to make his living as an actor and serves as the head of his own theatrical company, the Kawakami troupe. To cover the troupe's operating costs, he secretly takes on a second job: dressing in women's clothing and working as a geisha under the name Otoyakko. In this role he has become known as the most famous geisha in the Kagurazaka district. His striking looks draw the eye of those who see him, and he is remembered as an approachable, caring person with a big-brotherly nature who looks after those around him.

Though he can appear playboy-like on the surface, he is actually respectful and thoughtful when dealing with women. His social circle is wide, and his experience moving between the worlds of theater and the geisha district makes him a polished and worldly figure. He is also described as someone who gets taken into custody by the authorities from time to time, though he always manages to escape consequences.

His motivation centers on establishing himself as an actor and keeping his troupe running. He is a close associate of the playwright Izumi Kyōka, whose plays essentially gave his acting career its start, and he takes pleasure in performing the works Kyōka writes. The two have a relationship marked by friction as well as mutual respect for each other's talent. In the film he appears in a supporting role, and he assists the heroine by offering her lodging and teaching her how to conduct herself as a genuine geisha, drawing on his own dual life and expertise.

His notable abilities include his talent as a stage actor, his convincing skill as a geisha, and his proficiency with cosmetics, all of which he uses to support both his art and the people who depend on him. His character is defined by the contrast between his public persona as a rising actor and his hidden work as a geisha, and his decision to take on that secret labor reflects how seriously he regards his responsibility to his troupe and his craft.