When the Taira clan fled from Kyoto to the western countries from the Kinki district in 1183, Kanezane was assigned as an advisor to Goshirakawa-in (the government of the Retired Emperor Goshirakawa) and suggested that Emperor Gotoba should ascend to the throne, but other than this occasion, Kanezane and Goshirakawa-in were not harmonious with each other.
寿永2年（1183年）平氏が京都から西国に逃亡した際には、後白河院の諮問に預かり後鳥羽天皇の践祚を進言したが、それ以外は、両者は融和する事は無かった。