Because there was no reward for the Later Three Years' War due to it being considered a private war, he is said to have awarded his own property to his men, thereby enhancing his popularity as a warrior
後三年の役が私戦とされて恩賞が出なかったため、義家は河内国石川荘の自分の私財を投じて部下の将士に報奨を与え、武家の棟梁としての信望を高めたといわれる。