When the Empress Shotoku (which name the Empress Koken doubly used for herself) died in 770, Karitamaro reported a scandalous plan of Dokyo (a Buddhism priest deeply concerned the politics) and performed an exploit of expelling Dokyo and, therefore, Karitamaro was promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Defense of Mutsu Province.
宝亀元年（770年）称徳天皇（孝謙上皇が重祚）が崩御すると、道鏡の姦計を告げて、その排斥に功績があり、正四位下に進み、陸奥国鎮守将軍となった。