Born to Kuruma Hyobu-no-Taifu Yoshihide, lord of Kuruma Castle in Hitachi (birth year unknown), Tsunatada is thought to have received part of his name from Satake Yoshitsuna of the Satake Kita branch. Because his father had submitted to the Satake after serving the Iwaki, Tsunatada served Satake Yoshishige in what amounted to hostage status. Skilled in strategy, he handled much of the clan's diplomacy after the retainer Wada Akitame fled in 1571. In 1590, when Satake Yoshinobu conquered the Edo clan and took Mito, Yoshida Castle was granted to him as his residence. Before the 1600 Aizu campaign he garrisoned Fukushima and Yanagawa Castles under Uesugi Kagekatsu. After Sekigahara, he fiercely opposed the Satake clan's transfer from 540,000 koku in Hitachi to 180,000 koku in Dewa Akita, and attempted to retake Mito Castle with his brother-in-law Okubo Hisamitsu and others, but failed. He was captured and crucified in August 1602.

A retainer known more for strategic and diplomatic skill than martial prowess, whose fierce loyalty to his clan led him to risk his life opposing even his lord's own decision to accept the transfer to Akita.

Remembered as a senior Satake retainer whose residence was Yoshida Castle, his failed attempt to retake Mito Castle stands as a tragic episode of resistance to the Satake transfer.