In 1872 at the age of 10, prompted by the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, he moved to Tokyo with his father, and the following year, the rest of his family also sold their residence and left their hometown to join them.
1872年（明治5年）、廃藩置県等をきっかけに10歳で父と上京し、翌年、住居などを売却して残る家族も故郷を離れた。