Born on July 30, 1915, the eldest son of Hisaharu Shinyama of Yajiro Hachimiya in Fukuoka Village, Katta County, Miyagi Prefecture. His younger brother was Shigeru Niiyama. After graduating from Fukuoka Village Elementary School in 1930, he followed his father Hisaharu's footsteps to learn the woodworking trade. He made kokeshi dolls, toys, cherry blossom tea sets, confectionery containers, and tobacco containers, and also engaged in farming.
In December 1935, he was drafted into the active duty army, and after serving in Korea, he was discharged from the army in November 1938, returning home and returning to woodworking. He was introduced as the author of "Kigeko Ibou" in the "Kigeko Ibou" newspaper. In July 1941, he was drafted again and returned to his hometown, but was drafted twice more, and the war ended in Wakayama. During this time, his eldest son Hisashiro was born in 1942.
After the war, he devoted himself to the woodworking business. In 1948, he formed Yajiro Kokeshi Association and served as its president. He also became the president of the Yajiro Kokeshi Craftsmen's Association and worked hard to strengthen the unity of the Yajiro lineage. He taught his eldest son Hisashiro how to make kokeshi since 1957.
He died of a myocardial infarction on March 3, 1984. He was 70 years old.
