A member of the Utsunomiya clan of Shimotsuke (son of Hatta Munetsuna), he established his power in Hitachi Province as a leading vassal. He joined Minamoto no Yoritomo's uprising in 1180 and won military distinction in battles across the land. In the Oshu campaign of 1189 he is said to have led troops as one of the commanders of the Tokaido army. For his service he was appointed shugo (military governor) of Hitachi, and because he based himself at Oda in southern Hitachi he became the founder of the Oda clan. A warrior of eastern Japan renowned for his valor, he earned Yoritomo's trust, and after Yoritomo's death he was named a member of the council of thirteen. He died in 1218.

A powerful eastern vassal of outstanding valor, he repaid Yoritomo's trust with distinguished service in battles across the land. Putting down deep roots in Hitachi, he was a capable warlord who built his clan's foundation through both martial strength and estate management.

As shugo of Hitachi he held a key region of eastern Japan, and his descendants, the Oda clan, persisted as a leading local power in southern Hitachi into the Sengoku period. Hatta Tomoie exemplifies the warrior who branched off from the Utsunomiya to build an independent power base in Hitachi, and he is remembered as one of the vassals who upheld the Kamakura shogunate's control of the east.