Learning swordplay from youth, he concentrated on the thought of Sonno Joi (the principle of advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) and became the central figure among the power of Sonno Joi party in the clan.
若い頃から剣術を学ぶとともに、尊王攘夷思想に傾注し、同藩の尊王攘夷派勢力の中心人物となった。