Born in 1162, eldest son of Kajiwara Kagetoki. Like his father, he served Yoritomo and was known as a skilled warrior. In the January 1184 Uji River crossing race, he rode the celebrated horse "Surusumi," given by Yoritomo, competing against Sasaki Takatsuna's "Ikezuki." Distracted by Takatsuna's false warning that his crupper was loose, he lost the race by a moment. At Ichi-no-Tani later that year, he rode into battle with a plum blossom branch tucked in his quiver—the "ebira no ume" episode—celebrated as a mark of a warrior who combined martial valor with cultural refinement. His father Kagetoki fell from power amid vassal opposition under Shogun Yoriie, and in 1200 the Kajiwara were expelled from Kamakura. Kagesue followed his father and was killed in Suruga when intercepted by enemies, dying at around age 38. Both the "plum in the quiver" and the Uji River episodes are vividly depicted in the Tale of the Heike and have inspired Noh and Kabuki performances.

A warrior combining valor and elegance. His aesthetic sense of riding into battle with plum blossoms was remarkable even among samurai. Deeply devoted to his father.

The Uji River race and "plum in the quiver" are famous scenes in "The Tale of the Heike," inspiring Noh and Kabuki plays. A symbol of the cultured warrior.