He served an apprenticeship under Takatsugu MITSUI (Saburozaemon), his eldest brother, who started Mitsui Family kuginuki (nail puller) in Edo, and became a clerk.
江戸で釘抜三井家を創業した長兄の三井高次（三郎左衛門）に丁稚奉公し、番頭となる。