Tomoteru TAKAYAMA is said to have been born as a son of dogo (local ruling family) in Takayama Village, Shimashimo County, Settsu Province (present-day, Takayama, Toyono Town, Toyono County, Osaka Prefecture), and he was known as the Lord of Sawa-jo Castle in Uda County, Yamato Province.
摂津国島下郡高山村（現在の大阪府豊能郡豊能町高山）の土豪の出自といわれ、大和国宇陀郡の沢城の城主として知られる。