Born in 1899 in Takatori Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture. His given name was Toshio. He lost his hearing in early childhood and struggled with deafness for life — but this sharpened his visual sensitivity all the more. He studied under Takahama Kyoshi and in the early Showa era emerged as one of the 'Four S of Hototogisu.' In 1929 he founded and led the haiku journal Katsuragi in the Kansai region, nurturing many disciples as a pillar of Kansai haiku. Known for a simple and bright style celebrating the old temples and landscape of Yamato, he was honored as a member of the Japan Art Academy and a Person of Cultural Merit after the war. He died on December 22, 1992, at age 93.

A gentle man who, despite his deafness, continued to sing of nature and old temples with brightness and simplicity. Strict yet warm toward his disciples, he was beloved as the father of Kansai haiku.

The journal Katsuragi, founded in 1929, is one of the largest haiku journals in the Kansai region, still active today. His famous poems — 'Peonies: one hundred, two hundred, three hundred — a single gate' and 'Falling cherry blossoms — the sea being blue, they fall into the sea' — are widely loved. A monument and memorial hall stand in Takatori Town, Nara.