He was born as the first son of Tahei YOSHIMURA, who was a risei (local governor), so-called shoya (village headman) of Yoshiuno Village, Takaoka County in Tosa Province (Tsuno Town, Takaoka County, Kochi Prefecture).
土佐国高岡郡芳生野村（高知県高岡郡津野町）の里正（庄屋）吉村太平の長男として生まれる。