He was born to the priest of Saiken-ji, a Shin Buddhist temple in Jōetsu, Niigata Prefecture.
In 1925 and 1926, he published three works that took a controversial position on the nature of the Pure Land, and the authorities within the Higashi Hongan-ji judged his views to be heretical.
Kaneko authored many essays and books on Shin Buddhist thought as well as the history of Buddhism.
These have come to be held in very high regard, helping to sculpt modern day Jodo Shinshu philosophy.
He was a good friend of Soga Ryojin (1875 – 1971), another student of Manshi who likewise taught at Otani University.