Although Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) reported that he was a leading successor to the imperial throne together with Oshisaka no Hikohito no Oenomiko after the death of the Emperor Yomei, a powerful party supporting the Prince Anahobe regarded him as hostile, and he was cursed by NAKATOMI no Katsumi, a member of the party by making a statue of him in 587.
用明天皇の崩御後押坂彦人大兄皇子と共に有力皇位継承権者であったと日本書紀等では記されているが、穴穂部皇子を推す勢力から敵視され、用明天皇2年（587年）にはその一派である中臣勝海に像を作り呪詛されている。