Born in Edo in 1852, as a child he began to study under Sumiyoshi Naiki (住吉内記), before moving to Osaka prior to his grandfather's appointment as bugyō (magistrate).

Continuing his education under Tanomura Chokunyū (田能村直入), after returning to Edo he studied for a time with Haruki Nanmei (春木南溟) before learning yōga from Kawakami Tōgai (川上冬崖), in around 1868.

Initially sponsored by Katsu Kaishū, with Tokugawa support he studied political law in America in 1871, travelling the following year to France and Italy.

Returning to Japan in 1881, he worked for the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau before resigning over a disagreement and opening a school for painting in Kōjimachi.

In 1889 he participated in the formation of the Meiji Bijutsukai (明治美術会), the first domestic art association to champion western-style painting.