Naata[3] was born on Hateruma Island and traveled to Ishigaki Island at the age of eight.[2] Over the years, as he grew, he gained power, eventually uniting Ishigaki Village and becoming its head.[2]
He was approached, as were a number of other local chieftains, by Oyake Akahachi, who sought to have them join him in rebellion against the Ryūkyū Kingdom. Naata is said to have been quite loyal to the king, and sought to appease Akahachi by offering him his younger sister Koitsuba's hand in marriage; this failed, and Akahachi escaped to Iriomote Island with Koitsuba and her two younger brothers.[2]
Akahachi was defeated in the end by royal forces, with Naata's support.[2]