According to the "Genpei Seisuiki" (Rise and Fall of the Minamoto and the Taira clans), Yoshikane joined the army of MINAMOTO no Yoshinaka in 1183, invaded in the Echizen Province as the Daisho (Major Captain) of the vanguard along with the citizens of the Shinano and Kaga Provinces, and established and barricaded themselves in the Hiuchi-jo Castle.
『源平盛衰記』によると、寿永2年（1183年）義兼は源義仲の軍に加わり、信濃国、加賀国の住人とともに先陣の大将として越前国へ攻め込み、燧城を構えて立て篭もっている。