He was born into a rich farming family, and after studying at Keio Gijuku, he entered Tokyo Higher Commercial School (now known as Hitotsubashi University) where he became the outstanding boat racer.
広島県の裕福な農家に生まれ慶應義塾で学んだ後、東京高等商業学校（現・一橋大学）に入学しボート選手として活躍。