In stark contrast to his older brother Yoshiie, who used his position as head of the Kawachi-Genji to benefit the entire clan, Yoshimitsu's first priority was benefiting himself, and as a result he greatly expanded the amount of territory under his control, thereby magnifying his own power and influence.
兄の義家が河内源氏の棟梁として河内源氏全体の利益を図ったのに対して、義光は自身の利益を優先し、結果的に地方に所領を拡大することで、勢力を扶植していったともいえ、対照的である。