Expert on swords. Born in Kochi, the son of a samurai of the Kochi Clan. He served in the Boshin War, and joined the army after the Meiji Restoration, where he served as second lieutenant, first lieutenant and army accounts officer. He was an enthusiastic collector of swords, and learned appraisal of swords from Heijuro Hon'ami. Appointed director of Yushukan in 1886, and temporary national treasure examining officer in 1889, he was engaged in the appraisal of swords displayed in the imperial museums in Tokyo and Nara. Thus, he acquired fame as a judge of swords. He worked on the preservation of Japanese swords after the decree banning the wearing of them was issued, and introduced into sword appraisal a scientific method based on the criticism of historical materials.