Hajime's father had challanged Môri Motonari and been killed; Hajime himself became a distinguished Môri retainer. He is credited with saving the life of Motonari during the retreat from Gassan-Toda castle in 1540 near the Ômori silver mines and gained much prestige for this. He went on to fight at the Battle of Miyajima in 1555 and Moji in 1561.