Career
Ietada served under Minamoto no Yoshitomo during the Hōgeneral Rebellion of 1156. Throughout this rebellion, Ietada personally fought against two brothers known as the Takama brothers (Takama Saburo, and Takama Shiro). Even though the Takama brothers were widely known for their strength in combat, Ietada got on top of Shiro, holding on to him, about to take his head
Ietada followed in holding down the left and right arms of the enemy currently beneath him with his knees, yanked up the left armor skirt of Saburo (who was on top), and turning upon him, stabbed him more than three times as if both hilt and fist should sink into him.
Following this, Ietada remounted his horse ready to fight another battle, proclaiming: "I, Kaneko no Juro Ietada, a resident of Musashi province, have come forth before the renowned Minamoto Tametomo of Tsukushi, and with my own hands have taken both the heads of the two mounted warriors. Observe this, both enemy and allies! If there are warriors among Tametomo"s band who feel they are my match, let them come and grapple with medical ".
Ietada is singled out as an example of the honor of samurai and prowess by the author of Hogen Monogatari:
"With his martial prowess, he has established his fame in this life.