A literati painter of the mid-Edo period. His childhood name was Matajiro and his given name Tsutomu; his courtesy names were Kobin and Kasei, and among his art names were Taiga and Kasho. At six he began reciting Chinese classics under Katsuki Boan, and at seven studied calligraphy under Ichii of Seikoin.

He lost his father at the age of four and was raised by his mother alone. Gifted in calligraphy from early childhood, he was called a prodigy, and by fifteen was already supporting himself by painting fans. Drawn to Chinese literati calligraphy and painting, he studied the methods of the Southern School, and through his twenties and thirties spent months at a time travelling and learning directly from nature. He also absorbed traditional Japanese methods and even Western technique, arriving at a manner entirely his own.