Yamamoto Tsunetomo (山本 常朝), also known by his Buddhist monastic name Yamamoto Jōchō, was born on June 11, 1659, in Katadae Yokokoji, Saga Domain, Hizen Province, Japan. He was a samurai of the Saga Domain under his lord, Nabeshima Mitsushige. For thirty years, Yamamoto devoted his life to the service of his lord and clan.

In 1700, when Nabeshima died, Yamamoto did not follow his master in death through junshi (suicidal ritual following one's lord) because Nabeshima expressed a dislike for the practice. After some disagreements with Nabeshima's successor, Yamamoto renounced the world and retired to a hermitage in the mountains.

Later in life, between 1709 and 1716, he narrated his experiences, memories, lessons, ideas, and aphorisms to fellow samurai Tashiro Tsuramoto. These were compiled under the title Hagakure, which contains many aphorisms concerning his lord's father and grandfather, Naoshige.

Yamamoto passed away on November 30, 1719.