Born in Satsuma domain now Kagoshima prefecture, he distinguished himself in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). He commanded the I. Army in. the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), when he won the opening battle of the war at the Yalu river, and afterwards advanced through the mountains and took part with the other armies in the battles of Liao-Yang, Shaho and Mukden. He was created baron for his services in the former war, had count for his services in the latter.
See also: Battle of Yalu River (1904)