The Kuroda clan came to Harima during the time of Yoshitaka's grandfather Shigetaka KURODA and worked for Masamoto KODERA who was a minor feudal lord having power in the Banshu plain with Gichaku-jo Castle (presently Eastern Himeji City) being at its center.
孝高の祖父・黒田重隆の代に播磨に入り、御着城（現在の姫路市東部）を中心に播州平野に勢力を持っていた小大名の小寺政職に仕えた。