He served the Shugo-Uesugi, Nagao, and Nagao-Uesugi Clans and was a trusted vassal of Uesugi Kenshin who participated in many of his battles. He supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death along with his son Yoshie Kagesuke and grandson Nakajou Kageyasu.

He committed suicide at Uozu Castle along with his son and grandsons when it fell to Oda Nobunaga in 1582.