He was a samurai for Yosiyasu ICHIJO, the Kyoto Shugo (military governor of Kyoto), and was active as a Kyoto gokenin (vassal), but in 1199, he planned an attack on MINAMOTO no Michichika and was dismissed as the Shugo (provincial constable) of Sanuki Province (Sanzaemon Incident).
京都守護一条能保の侍でもあり、在京御家人として活躍するが、正治元年（1199年）源通親への襲撃を企て讃岐国守護を解任される（三左衛門事件）。