He was the second son of Yoshisada NITTA and his birth mother was a daughter of Tokinobu AMANO (also referred to as Negi (Shinto priest) Tokinobu), who was the Shinshu (Shinto priest) of Ichinomiya (shrine with the highest ranking in the area) Nukisaki Jinja Shrine of Kozuke Province.
新田義貞の次男、生母は上野国一宮貫前神社神主の天野時宣（禰宜時宣とも）の女。