He had a strong interest in waka (Japanese poetry) from an early age and tried to improve waka, and as well served as the patron of FUJIWARA no Toshinari and FUJIWARA no Teika (Sadaie).
兼実は若い頃から和歌に関心が深く、自ら和歌を良くしたほか、藤原俊成、藤原定家らの庇護者でもあった。