Katagami was born in Imabari, Ehime and graduated Waseda University in 1906, majoring English literature.

In 1920, when Waseda University created a department of Russian literature, Katagami was appointed as the chief professor.

[3] Masuji Ibuse, who was one of his students at that time, witnessed Katagami, an epileptic, at the onset of a seizure.

Following quarrels with two of his professors, and the incident with Katagami, Ibuse withdrew from both Waseda and art school.

Katagami also introduced Don Quixote to the Soviet statesman Anatoly Lunacharsky.