He was originally a feudal retainer of the Mikazuki Domain of Harima Province and later became terazamurai (samurai who performed administrative functions at temples) at Zojo-ji Temple, but was expelled as a result of his bad behavior, and ended up teaching mathematics and calligraphy, as well as practicing fortune-telling.
播州三日月藩土から増上寺の寺侍となったが，素行不良のゆえに追放され、数学、書道の教授と易で生計を立てる。