According to Takayuki OKUTOMI, specialized in study of Seiwa-Genji (Minamoto clan), at the time of Yoshichika, it was already the insei period (during the period of the government by the Retired Emperor) led by the Emperor Shirakawa, and Kawachi-Genji, which was a branch line of Seiwa-Genji and served as military power of Sekkan-ke (line of regents and advisers to the Emperor) who were against the Emperor Shirakawa lost their power because of hidden strategy by the Cloistered Emperor Shirakawa ('Black Hand of the Shirakawa Insei' "All Family Lines of Seiwa-Genji" the second band, Shin-Jinbutsuoraisha Co., Ltd.).
清和源氏研究の奥富敬之によれば、当時は既に白河天皇の院政期に入っており、院と対立する摂関家の武力として仕えていた清和源氏の中の河内源氏は、白河法皇の陰謀により勢力を削がれ、衰退してゆく（「白河院政の黒い手」『清和源氏の全家系』第二巻、新人物往来社）。