His name was sometimes written as OTOMO (大伴) no Kuronushi, but he was said to be the descendent of Prince Otomo(大友) (Emperor Kobun), not the Otomo (大伴) clan, which was one of the local ruling families in ancient times.
大伴黒主と記載される事もあるが、古代豪族の大伴氏ではなく、大友皇子（弘文天皇）の末裔と伝えられている。