Emperor Komei reposed trust in Masamichi so that he had authorization for Nairan (a preliminary inspection of official documents submitted from the Great Council of State to the Emperor) even after his resignation from his post as the chancellor (which was succeeded by Hisatada KUJO) and remained as a background influence in the Court Council.
孝明天皇の信認も厚く、関白辞任後（九条尚忠が後任）も内覧を許され、依然として朝議に隠然たる影響力を行使した。