Born in Ushigome, Edo (present-day Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo). His real name was Hasegawa Tatsunosuke. He studied Russian at the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages and became devoted to Russian literature by Turgenev and others. Resonating with Tsubouchi Shoyo's ideals in "The Essence of the Novel," he published "The Drifting Cloud" (Ukigumo) from 1887 to 1889. "The Drifting Cloud" is considered Japan's first modern novel, written in "genbun-itchi" (unified spoken and written language) style, depicting the anguish and self-establishment of an intellectual young man living in feudal society. The establishment of this unified spoken-written style had a decisive influence on the standard writing style of Japanese in subsequent eras. He translated numerous works of Russian literature by Turgenev, Dostoevsky, and Gorky, becoming the single most important figure in introducing Russian literature to Japan. His translations "Rendezvous" and "Meeting Again" hold their own literary evaluations. In his later years he was active as a Russian correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun, but died aboard a ship in the Bay of Bengal while returning home. He died at 44. Despite his short life, his achievements in building the linguistic foundations of modern Japanese literature are incalculable. His pen name "Futabatei Shimei" is said to be a transliteration of the Edo dialect for "go and die," expressing self-deprecation and a rebellious spirit.

Self-critical and introspective in character. As symbolized by the self-deprecation and rebellious spirit embedded in the pen name "Futabatei Shimei," he consistently maintained a critical perspective toward society, literature, and himself. A person of pure scholarly passion for Russian language and literature.

"The Drifting Cloud" is inscribed in literary history as the first work of modern Japanese literature. The establishment of the genbun-itchi style is the origin of modern Japanese prose. His achievements as a translator of Russian literature are also immense, and he was a pioneer of cultural exchange between Japan and Russia.