He moved to Besshi with his uncle, Jiemon KITAWAKI who served as the manager of Besshidozan Copper mine when he was nine years old, and went into service in Besshidozan Copper mine when he was eleven years old.
9歳のとき、別子銅山の支配人をしていた叔父北脇治右衛門に連れられて別子に移り、11歳のときに別子銅山に奉公にあがった。