Born at Imbe in Okayama Prefecture; his given name was Isamu. From his youth he was drawn to the tea ceramics of the Momoyama period and gave himself to their study. He learned from his father Baiyo Kaneshige, worked for the revival of Bizen ware, and recreated the Momoyama Bizen tea vessels. In 1949 he formed the Bizen Kogei Association, and in 1955 took part in founding the Japan Kogei Association. He built the golden age of modern Bizen, and in 1956 was named a Living National Treasure for Bizen ware.