He took an active part as a court noble of the Sonno-joi-ha (a group of activists who admired the Emperor and hated foreigners, advocating the need for expelling them from Japan), became Kokuji goyogakari (a general official of the Imperial Household in charge of the State affair) in 1862, and Giso (a Noble Council) in the next year.
尊皇攘夷派の公卿として活躍し、1862年（文久2年）国事御用掛、翌年議奏となった。