Goshirakawa had given favorable treatment to Onjo-ji Temple among temples of the Tendai Sect of Buddhism and, toward Enryaku-ji Temple, he applied coercive policy by appointing In no kinshin to the provincial governors, such as suspension or abolishment of manor and regulations against jinnin, and, therefore, potential confrontation between the In and Enryaku-ji Temple had been very likely.
後白河は同じ天台宗でも園城寺を優遇し、延暦寺に対しては院近臣を国司に任じて荘園の停廃・神人の取り締まりなどの強圧的な政策を行っていたため、院と延暦寺の対立は前々から一触即発の状態にあった。