However, when Emperor Reigen passed his position to Emperor Higashiyama, Motohiro succeeded in overthrowing Kaneteru ICHIJO in 1687, once seeing that Sento Gosho (the Imperial Palace) began Insei (rule by a retired emperor).
しかし1687年に霊元天皇が東山天皇に譲位して、仙洞御所より院政を開始したのを見計らって、一条兼輝を失脚させることに成功。