In 1139, Yoshikata became the head of the Imperial Palace Guard assigned to guard the Crown Prince Narihito, who later became Emperor Konoe, being referred to as Togu tachihaki no senjo (Head of the Imperial Guard for the Crown Prince).
保延5年（1139年）、のちの近衛天皇である東宮体仁親王を警護する帯刀の長となり、東宮帯刀先生（とうぐうたちはきのせんじょう）と呼ばれた。