The system was established when Emperor Meisho, whose cognates were the Tokugawa clan, succeeded to the throne, but as insei by Emperor Gomizunoo was conducted during the reign of Meisho, Meisho never had actual power in the Imperial Court; instead, the actual power of the court was concentrated in Emperor Gomizunoo.
徳川氏を外戚に持つ明正天皇の即位でこの体制は確立されるが、明正の治世中は後水尾天皇による院政が敷かれたため、明正が朝廷に於ける実権を持つことは無く、後水尾上皇に朝廷内の実権が集中した。