It was obvious that Michinaga wanted not only the enthronement of Prince Atsuhira but also assignment of Prince Atsunaga, also a son of Shoshi/Akiko, as the Crown Prince; the Emperor despised Michinaga and he resisted his request to step down, and he wished for the recovery from his illness of the eyes by frequently ordering various temples and shrines for incantations.
道長が敦成親王の即位だけでなく同じ彰子の生んだ敦良親王の東宮を望んでいるのは明らかで、天皇は道長を憎み譲位要求に抵抗し眼病快癒を願い、しきりに諸寺社に加持祈祷を命じた。