He criticized and persuaded his nephew TAIRA no Sadamori, who was taking a peaceful approach to Masakado who had killed Kunika (Sadamori's father), to get him on his side when going into battle in Shimotsuke Province.
父国香を死に追い込んだ将門との和平路線を取る甥の平貞盛を批判・説得して味方に引き入れ、下野国を目指し出陣した。