At the time, Emperor Reizei had a 'maddening illness' and was not in condition to attend to governmental affairs, while the declining health of Saneyori, who was the Grand Minister of State and Chief Adviser to the Emperor, due to his old age was of concern.
当時、冷泉天皇は「狂気の病」とされて政務が行える状況には無く、一方、関白太政大臣であった実頼の高齢による健康悪化が懸念されていた。