As head of the important Kuroda family from 1567, he participated in many battles including the Siege of Inabayama Castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign against the Mori clan. Yoshitaka was ordered by Hideyoshi to lead a successful attack into Kyushu.

After many battles and several complex arrangements for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kuroda Yoshitaka died in 1604. His son Kuroda Nagamasa succeeded him as Master of the Kuroda clan.