A commander of the Sengoku who served the Nagao Clan, including Nagao Tamekage, Nagao Harukage, and Uesugi Kenshin. He was extolled as the "warrior whose physique is without peer" because of his handsome features. His military fame was widespread among the Uesugi army, which worried even Kenshin. Because of these facts, there was particular antagonism between him and Yasuda Kagemoto, whose clan, like the Kitajou Clan, was descended from the Mouri Clan.

In 1574 he retired to Oogo Castle in favor of his eldest son and heir Kitajou Kagehiro. He supported Uesugi Kagetora along with his son in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. When Kitajou Castle fell and his son died during battle, he ran to Takeda Katsuyori, by whose intercession he returned to serve Kagekatsu according to one theory. (There are also theories that he served the Later Houjou Clan or died without being able to return to Echigo.)