Born in Okayama Prefecture, Tesseki studied literati painting under Ito Kachiku (1805-1881). In true literati fashion, he resigned from his position with his domain in 1840, and travelled around the country developing his skills as an artist. Living in Kyoto, he was skilled in calligraphy, the military arts, Chinese literature, and history. He was committed to restoring Imperial power at the end of the Edo Period, eventually dying in battle against the Shogunate army in September 1863.