Michichika TSUCHIMIKADO, who had supported Insei (the government by the retired emperor) as In no betto (chief administrator of the retired Emperor's office) to Gotoba-in (the Retired Emperor Gotoba), had been in confrontation with Yoritomo and Kanezane KUJO, Yoritomo's close associate, for many years.
後鳥羽院の院別当としてその院政を支えていた土御門通親は、長年頼朝やその盟友である九条兼実らと対立関係にあった。