He was born in Saga (Hayatsue Village, Saga County, Hizen Province: present Saga City) as the fifth son of Saburozaemon (Mitsuyoshi) SHIMOMURA who was a feudal retainer of the Saga clan.
佐賀藩士下村三郎左衛門（充贇）の5男として佐賀（肥前国佐賀郡早津江村　現・佐賀市）に生まれる。