He was born as the second son of Michinobu KOGA, but inherited the Tokudaiji family since the head of Tokudaiji family, Sanemichi TOKUDAIJI, was assassinated by Tamekage NAGAO when he travelled to Ecchu Province.
久我通言の二男に生まれたが、徳大寺家の当主徳大寺実通が下向先の越中国で長尾為景に殺害されたので、かわって徳大寺家に入って跡を継いだ。