Background
His clan, the Ōtomo, had been highly influential at the court since the time of his grandfather Ōtomo Muruya.
His clan, the Ōtomo, had been highly influential at the court since the time of his grandfather Ōtomo Muruya.
Shortly after Emperor Buretsu ascended the throne (498), Kanamura, at the Imperial command, killed Minister Matori Heguri and was appointed omuraji, a high Court official.
Kanamura embraced an aggressive policy towards the kingdom of Silla (part of modern-day Korea), and advocated sending forces there; his own son Ōtomo no Satehiko led two expeditions against the Korean kingdoms. This policy eventually led to his downfall, when in 540 the Emperor Kinmei, under advice from the minister Mononobe no Okoshi, decided to refrain from direct military action against Silla. The Emperor also removed Kanamura from his position as Ōmuraji as a result.