Sanzan was born in Kyōwa 2 (1802) in a merchant house in Yagi Village.[1] He was the third son of his father Shigeyuki and his mother Chiya.[2] Sanzan lost his hearing around the age of 16.[2]
He went to Kyoto to study in 1829.[2] Sanzan studied with scholar Ikai Keisho (1761–1845) and was friends with intellectuals such as Rai San'yō and Yoshida Shōin.[1] Sanzan opened a private school, Kojokan.[1] Sanzan was appointed as a Confucian vassal by the lord of the Takatori domain.[2] In 1847, Sanzan conducted a written conversation with scholar Setsusai Morita for three days and three nights.[3]
He became a respected author of zuihitsu, a form of contemplative personal essay.[4] His writings focused on promoting respect for the emperor and rejection of Western foreigners.[5][4]
Sanzan lost his eyesight towards the end of his life, though he continued to teach by having students write characters on his palm.[6] He died on 11 December 1867.[7]