In 1850, he was born in Yashikimachi, the Sanda Domain (current, Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture), as the second son of 星崎貞幹 who was a vassal of the Sanda Domain and was granted 180 koku (a volume measure for rice [approximately, 180 liters]).
嘉永3年（1850年）、三田藩の家臣で180石取りの星崎貞幹の次男として藩内の屋敷町（現・兵庫県三田市）で生まれた。