Later, he served as Sakonoe no daisho (Major Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards) at the court rank of Shosammi (Senior Third Rank) and was promoted to Dainagon (chief councilor) in 838, Udaijin (Minister of the Right) and Togu no fu (official in charge of education of the Crown Prince) in 840, and Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) in 842.
その後、正三位で左近衛大将を兼ね、承和(日本)5年（838年)に大納言、同七年に右大臣・東宮傅、十一年には左大臣と順調に昇っていった。