This was in fact banishment, and the pleas by Takaakira and his eldest son MINAMOTO no Tadakata's pleas that they be allowed to enter the priesthood in Kyoto went unnoticed, and they were removed to Dazaifu.
これは事実上の流罪であり、高明は長男の源忠賢ともども出家して京に留まることを願うが許されず、大宰府へ流された。