He did not take part in the campaigns by the army of Kamakura-Genji branch of the Minamoto clan to pursue and subjugate the Taira Clan, and did not visit Kamakura, despite being close to his nephew Yoshitsune, but adopted an independent stance, ruling Izumi and Kawachi Provinces (the headquarter of Kawachi-Genji branch of the Minamoto clan).
その後の鎌倉源氏軍による平氏追討には参加しておらず、甥の義経に接近しながらも鎌倉に参向しようとはせず、半ば独立した立場をとって和泉国と河内国（河内源氏の本拠地）を支配していた。