Also like his father, he was the follower of the Ikko Ikki (Ikko sect's revolt), however, at the Mikawa Ikko Ikki (Ikko sect's revolt in Mikawa Province), Ienaga parted from his father to participate in the army of Ieyasu, his uncle-in-law, instead in the Ikko sect followers remained faithful to Ieyasu by suppressing the troops of the Ikko sect's revolt and earned his great trust.
また、父同様に一向一揆の門徒でもあったが三河一向一揆の時に家長は父と訣別して、一揆方に加わらず義理の伯父に当たる家康に従軍し、一揆衆を鎮圧するなどで忠節を貫き、家康から大いに信頼された。