Gosanjo was the first Emperor in 170 years whose cognates were not from the Northern House of the Fujiwara clan (Sekkan-ke (摂関家)), and this was another sign that Sekkan seiji, the authority of which was based on the position as being conducted by cognates of the Emperor, was beginning to waver.
後三条は、宇多天皇以来藤原北家（後三条天皇）を外戚に持たない170年ぶりの天皇であり、外戚の地位を権力の源泉としていた摂関政治がここに揺らぎ始めることとなる。