His family was rooted in Mino Province and worked in the capital, but his father Shigetoo and his descendents had a foothold in Owari Province, Shigenao inherited the territory of Urano, Kasugai County, Owari Province, also managed the territories of Yamada-sho Manor, Yamada Province (Owari Province), and Kawabe sho, Ama County (Aichi Prefecture) according to "Sonpi Bunmyaku", and it is inferred that he and his brothers wielded their influence on Owari Province at these days.
代々美濃国を地盤としながら都で活動した家系であったが、父の重遠以降尾張国に拠点を有したとされ、重直もまた父より同国春日井郡浦野の所領を継承する一方で山田郡(尾張国)山田庄や海部郡(愛知県)河辺庄などをも知行したことが『尊卑分脈』にみえるなど、弟たちと共にこの時期の尾張国内に大きな勢力を有していたことが推察されている。