After FUJIWARA no Michinaga's death, his sons warned each other regarding the inner palace policy, so it would appear that Princess Shoshi (Akiko) was placed under the guardianship of Jotomonin as one of the members of the Michinaga clan, and this was probably a compromise plan since the daughter of FUJIWARA no Yorimichi was too young at that time.
藤原道長の死後はその子息たちが後宮政策で互いに牽制し合う状況にあり、当時は関白藤原頼通の娘がいまだ幼かったため恐らく折衷案として、道長一族に連なり上東門院の後見を受ける章子内親王が選ばれたと思われる。