His father was Shigekata YAMAKAWA, a kunigaro (the chief retainer in charge of the fief in the absence of the lord) of the Aizu Domain, his mother was En, a daughter of Chikatoshi SAIGO, a vassal of the Aizu Domain.
父は会津藩国家老・山川重固、母は会津藩家臣・西郷近登之の娘・えん。