Although Mochitame was not by right the head of the family, his ability was recognized by the Ashikaga clan and he was permitted to set up an independent family, separate from the Reizei family headed by his elder brother, but under the same Reizei name.
持為は、冷泉家の当主にはならなかったが、その実力を足利氏から認められ、独立した一家をもうけることが許され、兄の冷泉家とは別に同じ冷泉家を名乗ることも許された。