His close relationship with FUJIWARA no Tadazane and his son Yorinaga led Shinjitsu to side with the Retired Emperor Sutoku's factions in the Hogen War in 1156.
藤原忠実、藤原頼長父子との関係が深く、保元元年(1156年)の保元の乱においては崇徳上皇方に加勢する。