Born at Shiba in Edo, son of a netsuke carver; his real name was Tokutarō.
With Yamada Bimyō and others he founded the literary group Ken'yūsha and the magazine Garakuta Bunko.
Recognized for Futari Bikuni Iro Zange, he joined the Yomiuri newspaper.
He published Tajō Takon (Much Feeling, Much Regret).
He began serializing Konjiki Yasha (The Gold Demon) in the newspaper, to enormous acclaim.
Around this time he mentored many disciples such as Izumi Kyōka and Tokuda Shūsei.
He died of illness with The Gold Demon left unfinished.
Izumi KyōkaTayama KataiKōda Rohan
Natsume SōsekiMasaoka ShikiToyoda SakichiKōda RohanYokoyama TaikanAkiyama SaneyukiKitamura TokokuShiga Kiyoshi
People of the Meiji period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.