His father Michiie, with the official court rank of Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade), doted over Sanetsune and appointed him as his successor and head of Muromachi-Ichijo family in 1242.
正五位下に叙せられる父道家に溺愛され、仁治3年（1242年）一条室町の第を譲られる。