Following in his father's footsteps, he became the attendant to Cloistered Emperor Toba, and in May 1156, he was selected as saishi (a special envoy from the Imperial Court for festivals) for the Kamo Festival; and by the age of 19 he was appointed Sakonenoshosho (major general of inner palace guard, left division) ("Heihanki" (A diary written by TAIRA no Nobunari)).
父に習って鳥羽法皇の側近となり、保元元年（1156年）4月には院宣により賀茂祭の祭使に選ばれ、19歳で左近衛少将に任じられた（『兵範記』）。