He became Dainagon (chief councilor of state) in 872, was promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and served as Azechi (inspector of the provincial government) and Sakon no daisho (Western Commander) in 875, was promoted to Junii (Junior Second Rank) in 879, appointed to Udaijin (Minister of the Right) in 882, and in that same year was granted a request to have his shokuho (fiefs) halved.
貞観14年大納言になり、更に貞観17年正三位に進んで按察使・左近大将を兼ね、元慶3年（879年）従二位、元慶6年（882年）右大臣に任命され、その年職封半減を上表して許された。