He received his first title, Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade), in 849, was assigned to be the Awa no kuni no kami (Governor of Awa Province) in January of 850, and entered the priesthood in April of the same year together with his father Emperor Ninmyo.
嘉祥2年（849年）正月には無位から従四位下に直叙され、翌年の嘉祥3年正月に阿波国守に任ぜられたが、同年4月に父仁明天皇とともに出家した。