A vassal of the Uesugi Clan, master of Kurokawa Castle. He fought in the Battles of Kawanakajima under Uesugi Kenshin.

He supported [{Uesugi Kagetora]] in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death and mounted an offensive against Tossaka Castle belonging to the Chuujou Clan on Kagekatsu's side, but was attacked in his turn. Tossaka Castle later fell and was plundered, but Kiyozane returned to the Uesugi Clan through mediation from Date Terumune.