His father, Emperor Sanjo was forced by FUJIWARA no Michinaga to install Imperial Prince Atsuhira (Emperor Goichijo), the second prince of Emperor Ichijo who was the grandchild of Michinaga as a crown prince.
父の三条天皇は藤原道長の圧力により、道長の孫にあたる一条天皇の第2皇子敦成親王（後一条天皇）を皇太子とした。