 Ayame was born in Kyoto, where he was a male prostitute before becoming involved in the more legitimate theater world.Tachibana Gorozaemon, a samurai from Tanba Province, became his patron, arranging for him an apprenticeship first under shamisen player Mizushima Shirobei in the troupe of actor Arashi San'emon I, and later under San'emon himself.Trained in the shamisen and in the ways of Kabuki, Ayame, known as Ayanosuke in his childhood, sought to learn Noh chanting and acting as well, seeking lessons from Tachibana, but was refused.