As Yoshiie's first son MINAMOTO no Yoshimune died prematurely and the second son MINAMOTO no Yoshichika raised a rebellion in Saigoku (western part of Japan), he was expected as the next 'toryo (leader) of Minamoto clan' as well as his elder brother and the third son, MINAMOTO no Yoshitada.
長男源義宗が早世し、次男源義親が西国で反乱を起こすと、兄の三男源義忠とともに次期「源氏の棟梁」としての期待を受けた。