The Kawata family was Fushimi rusuiyaku (a person representing the master during his absence) in Tottori Domain for generations and he succeeded the head of the family in 1851 to become Fushimi rusuiyaku.
河田家は代々鳥取藩の伏見留守居役を勤める家であり、嘉永4年（1851年）家督を継ぎ、伏見留守居となる。