In 1016, Emperor Sanjo was pressured into abdicating his thrown by Michinaga on account of an eye disease he had developed, and because Emperor Sanjo had been isolated in the Imperial Court, agreed to abdicate his thrown to Imperial Prince Atsuhira under the condition that his eldest son Imperial Prince Atsuakira become the Crown Prince.
長和5年（1016年）、三条天皇は眼病を理由に道長から強く退位を迫られ、宮中で孤立していた三条天皇はこれに屈して敦成親王への譲位を認めるが、自らの第一皇子の敦明親王を東宮とすることを条件とした。