In 1848, he entered the Kodokan hanko (domain school of the Saga Domain) and achieved excellent results during his elementary and secondary levels so his school fees were partially paid by the government.
嘉永元年（1848年）に藩校の弘道館(佐賀藩)へ入学し内生（初等中等）課程は成績優秀で学費の一部を官給された。