During his service as Kanpaku, Sanetomi SANJO and Kintomo ANEKOJI, who were radical activists of the Sonno Joi (19th century slogan advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) and connected to the Choshu clan, started to gradually increase their influence over the imperial court.
関白在任中、朝廷は長州藩と結びついた尊王攘夷過激派の三条実美・姉小路公知らが次第に発言力を拡大させる。