Born into a samurai family of the Nagaoka domain in Echigo (Niigata).
Around this time he went to Edo and studied under Sakuma Shōzan and others.
He visited Yamada Hōkoku of Bitchū Matsuyama to learn how to restore domain finances, and also went to Nagasaki.
As district magistrate he reformed rural administration.
As chief retainer he pushed reforms, cut the domain's debts and built a Western-style army, buying new weapons such as Gatling guns.
Seeking neutrality in the Boshin War, he saw talks with government forces fail, leading to the Hokuetsu War. He retook Nagaoka Castle once, but was badly wounded in the leg and lost his life on the way to Aizu.
Katsu KaishūŌmura MasujirōJohn ManjirōKusumoto IneOguri TadamasaYamauchi Yōdō (Toyoshige)Saigō TakamoriMatsudaira Shungaku (Yoshinaga)
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.