Was well versed in Japanese and Chinese classic literature and Buddhism. As an official of the government, he served in various cities. He became a councilor of the Education Ministry (1890) but resigned the following year because of illness. He became superintendent of the dormitory of youths of the Matsuyama Clan. Among the students at the dormitory was Shiki Masaoka, outstanding haiku and imka poet. Under the influence of Masaoka, he began composing haiku at the age of 45 and soon became a leading poet of tho Nihon school of haiku. A number of collections of his poems were published. His works are characterized by a gentle elegance.
He was the son of a retainer of the Matsuyama Clan (Ehime Prefecture).