Okabe Chikatsuna served as a bushō during the Sengoku period.  He was a retainer of the Imagawa clan of Suruga Province.  His common name was Sakyō-no-jō and, after entering the priesthood, he adopted the name of Genchū.

Chikatsuna was a close associate of Imagawa Ujiteru.  After the demise of Ujiteru, during the Hanakura Conflict in 1536, Chikatsuna allied with Sengaku Shōhō (later known as Imagawa Yoshimoto) and attacked Kita-no-kami Castle and Hanakura Castle (also known as Hanashi Castle).  He made significant contributions that led to the toppling of these castles, receiving a written commendation from Yoshimoto.