At the funeral of the father, Kaneie, MINAMOTO no Yorimitsu, a renowned warrior who observed Michinaga's dignified demeanor, admired him saying that he had the caliber of a general, and he followed his example.
父・兼家の葬儀の際、道長の堂々たる態度を見た名高い武士の源頼光は将帥の器であると感嘆して、自ら従うようになったという。