There are two theories about his birthplace: one claims he was born in Settsu Province (either in modern-day Mizuo, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, or in Tomimatsu, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture), while the other holds that he was born in Echigo Province (specifically in the town of Karuizawa, which is located in Nagaoka City--formerly known as Tochio--in modern-day Niigata Prefecture).
出生地には、摂津国（大阪府茨木市水尾、または兵庫県尼崎市富松）という説と、越後国（新潟県旧栃尾市、現在の長岡市の軽井沢集落）という説がある。