Kanezane was critical of the Taira clan administration and Pope Goshirakawa; he became regent by recommendation of MINAMOTO no Yoritomo and then chief advisor to the Emperor, whereupon the Konoe and Kujo families took positions as regents to the emperor.
平氏政権、後白河法皇には批判的で、源頼朝の推挙で摂政、ついで関白となり、以後摂関職は近衛家と九条家から出る。