Background
He was born in Edo (now Tokyo, Japan), 1845. He was the second son of Bankei.
He was born in Edo (now Tokyo, Japan), 1845. He was the second son of Bankei.
He became a lecturer at the Yokendo, the Sendai Clan's Confucian school (1863). Also studied Japanese classics under Mitsunori Hoda. He served in the Imperial Government's naval school (1871). The following year, he was appointed an official of the Education Ministry and participated in the study of restricted use of Chinese ideographs.
He resigned from public service and wrote "An Outline of Japanese Topography" (1875). Lived in Asakusa in downtown Tokyo and engaged in research of various kinds. Wrote a history of education in Japan and books on ancient utensils, dances and music. Also wrote novels, plays and poetry.