In 780, after promotion to Chunagon (vice-councilor of state), the chief of the Emishi KOREHARI no Azamaro rebelled in Mutsu Province and murdered the Azechi (inspector of the provincial government) KI no Hirozumi (Hoki War), and Tsugutada was appointed as Seito Taishi (great general who subdues the eastern barbarians) to settle this rebellion.
宝亀11年（780年）中納言昇進後に陸奥国で蝦夷の族長伊治呰麻呂が反乱し、按察使紀広純を殺害する事件がおきると（宝亀の乱）、これを鎮圧すべく征東大使に任ぜられた。