There were signs of confrontation between Emperor Takakura, who had started to take part in political matters after reaching adulthood, and Goshirakawa, who wanted to continue his cloistered governance, but upon the position assignment on January 13, 1177, FUJIWARA no Nobuyoshi and FUJIWARA no Mitsuyoshi, who were close aides of Goshirakawa, were promoted to Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain), passing over TAIRA no Tomomori and others.
成人して政務に関与するようになった高倉天皇と、院政継続を望む後白河の間には対立の兆しがあったが、12月5日の除目において後白河近臣の藤原定能・藤原光能が、平知盛らを超えて蔵人頭に任じられた。