The following year (1158), as a Shoshiinojo (Senior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) and Kogo no miya gon no suke (Provisional Assistant Master of the Empress's Household) he was promoted from Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank), and at a youthful 26 years old, he was promoted to the rank of Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and Sangi (royal adviser), thus joining the ranks of the nobility.
翌・保元3年（1158年）に正四位上・皇后宮権亮を経て従三位より同年2月に26歳の若さで正三位・参議になり公卿に列せられる。