He served Emperor Tenchi and was promoted to Gyoshi taifu (a chief of controlling the officials), and during the Jinshin War of 672, he became shogun of the army of Otomo no Oji (Prince Otomo), who later became Emperor Kobun.
天智天皇に仕えて御史大夫に昇り、672年の壬申の乱で大友皇子（弘文天皇）側の将軍となった。