As the main lineage (i.e., from the eldest son) of the Mikohidari family, members of the Kyogoku school fell into conflict with adherents of the Nijo school, who had forged close ties with the Daikakuji imperial lineage (which would afterwards become the Southern Court); Tamekane, welcomed as Emperor Fushimi's tutor in the art of waka poetry, took advantage of his closeness with the Jimyoin imperial lineage (which later became the Northern Court) to create a waka circle at the Imperial Court, working to ensure his fresh new poetic style would become popular.
御子左嫡流で、大覚寺統（のちの南朝(日本)）と結びついた二条派に対し、為兼は伏見院の歌道師範として迎えられたのを契機に持明院統（のちの北朝(日本)）宮廷において歌壇を築き、斬新な歌風を流行させた。