During the period of the Northern and Southern Courts, Kinmune's son Sanetoshi SAIONJI served Hokucho (Japan) and rose to the post of minister of the right, whereby the family name was restored.
南北朝時代には公宗の子西園寺実俊が北朝(日本)に仕えて右大臣にのぼり、家名を再興する。