Chemist. Son of a samurai of the Kanazawa clan. He entered the Daigaku Nanko (later University of Tokyo) in 1871. He was sent to England by the Ministry of Education to major in chemistry in 1876. He returned in 1881 and served as a lecturer at the University of Tokyo. He became professor of the Faculty of Science in 1882. He became doctor of science in 1888. He became a member of the Tokyo Imperial Academy in 1898. He retired in 1919 and became an emeritus professor. He was selected as a member of the House of Peers in 1920 by Imperial command. He served as privy councillor and the president of the Japan Imperial Academy in 1926. He was instrumental in the education of chemistry and academic development and participated in the establishment of Rikagaku Kenkyujo (Institue of Physical and Chemical Research), Nihon Gakujutsu Kenkyu Kaigi and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He was knighted danshaku (baron) at his death.