Kanetsugu was the son of Kimotsuki Kaneoki. He assumed leadership of his family in 1533 and was initially an ally of Shimazu Takahisa, whom he assisted at the attack on Ichiki in 1538. Kanetsugu later broke from the Shimazu and allied with the Itô of Hyûga. In 1566 he was captured by the Shimazu and made to commit suicide. He was succeeded by his son Kimotsuki Yoshikane, who was in turn succeeded by Kanetsugu's 2nd son, Kimotsuki Kaneaki (1558-1634).
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005