[1] Nob graduated from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in applied chemistry.

After becoming disenchanted with his career in high-polymer engineering, Nob turned to high school teaching as an educator of chemistry and mathematics.

As a puzzle columnist, Nob was an active contributor to many journals and had monthly columns in various popular magazines, including Quark.

[1] Perhaps best known as a puzzle inventor, he commercially licensed his designs, such as the Rush Hour puzzle game, to companies including Binary Arts (now known as ThinkFun), Ishi Press, and Hanayama.

Nob was an active participant in the International Puzzle Party, traveling the world to attend the annual event.