Yonezawa Domain
Takamasa was born in 1841 to a prominent samurai family in the Yonezawa Domain. His father was Takaaki Chisaka, who was the chief retainer of the Yonezawa clan. He entered official service in 1863 and five years later he was given command of the "han" military force. He was promoted as a "dai-sanji" (chief councilor) in 1870 and later accompanied the clan lord Shigenori Uesugi on his European tour. When he returned to Japan, he served in the government's Home Ministry.