An Imperial envoy came to see Nobunaga, who had returned in triumph to Azuchi upon vanquishing the Takeda clan, bearing an offer from Imperial Court to assume a title of either Kanpaku (chief adviser to the Emperor), Daijo-daijin (Grand minister of state) or Seii taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians") (the question of the three alternative positions), but Nobunaga avoided a clear answer, instead requesting that Nobutada, his legitimate son and heir, be appointed as Seii taishogun.
武田氏滅亡を見届け安土へ凱旋した信長のもとへ、朝廷から関白、太政大臣、征夷大将軍の内の何れかに就任するよう勅使が訪れるが（三職推任問題）、信長は自身については明確な回答をせず、代わりに嫡男の信忠を征夷大将軍に宣下してもらえればよいと伝える。