However, once FUJIWARA no Nakamaro, the second son of FUJIWARA no Muchimaro, who was a close friend of Toshitari's father Iwatari, became powerful, Toshitari could also enjoy Nakamaro's patronage because Toshitari was a second cousin of Nakamaro.
しかし父石足と特に親しかった藤原武智麻呂の次男、藤原仲麻呂が台頭すると、彼の又従兄弟にあたる年足もその権勢にあずかる事となる。