According to "Azuma Kagami" (The Mirror of the East), using a quote from "Shomon Ki" (tale of Masakado), Hirotsune first had "double intentions" in his mind in trying to kill Yoritomo depending on the situation; however, he changed after seeing Yoritomo's resolute attitude and tried to corroborate with Yoritomo.
『吾妻鏡』では、『将門記』の古事をひきながら、場合によっては頼朝を討ってやろうと「内に二図の存念」を持っていたが、頼朝の毅然とした態度に「害心を変じ、和順を奉る」とはある。