Though Kano was born as the second son of a merchant whose trade name was Echizen-ya, who dealt with cotton, and whose store was located on Oshi-koji street in Kyoto, Kano liked martial arts since his childhood, learned Japanese fencing, and joined Shinsengumi at the age of 18.
京都押小路の木綿問屋越前屋の次男として生まれるが、幼少より武芸を好んで剣術を習い、18歳で新選組に入隊。