Born in Tokyo. He studied under Ogata Gekko and graduated from the Tokyo Fine Arts School (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He became a member of the Japan Art Institute and was active chiefly at its exhibitions. He made prints as well, and excelled at actor likenesses; he also designed for the stage, and was known as a collector of ukiyo-e, dolls, lacquer and ceramics. Among his best-known works is Flowers of the Theatre: Morita Kanya XIII as Jean Valjean.