Although in his early days he entered the priesthood and became a monk at Kurama-dera Temple in Kyoto, he returned to secular life in his hometown after a short while, performing brilliantly as a member of Shinano Senpo shu (one of the groups of feudal lords and their warriors in the dominions annexed by Shingen TAKEDA) under his older brother Yukitaka, who served Shingen TAKEDA.
若い頃出家し京都鞍馬の僧となるが、程なく郷里に戻って還俗し、武田信玄に仕える兄の幸隆の下で信濃先方衆として活躍する。