Born in Edo. Studied at first under Kato Bunrei, and later Watanabe Gentai. With the philosophy of hasshu kengaku (studying all eight schools of Buddhist learning at once), he studied a wide variety of styles, including Chinese and Western painting as well as the Tosa, Rimpa, and Maruyama Shijo schools. He entered government service in 1788. He later became an attendant to senior councilor Matsudaira Sadanobu, and was involved in the production of Koyo Tansho Zukan (a collection of scenic spots) and Shuko Jisshu (Ten Kinds of Collected Antiquities). He also interacted with many writers such as Kimura Kenkado. He demonstrated a varied style which blended the characteristics of different schools of painting. He had many disciples including Watanabe Kazan, and created a new school of nanga painting in the Kanto region. He died at 78.