In 1864 he became the director of English studies at the Yogakko (School of Western Studies) Chienkan, which was set up by Saga Domain in Nagasaki City, and studied English.
元治元年（1864年）、佐賀藩が長崎市に設けた洋学校・致遠館の英学生監督となり、英語などを学ぶ。