There is an opinion that Tokihira's enmity towards Michizane stemmed from not only personal jealousy, but also Michizane's desire to restore the Ritsuryo system and his seeking of opinions to oppose Tokihira's political reform that engaged in political measures that took into consideration the actual state of affairs of society.
道真との確執については、個人的な嫉妬のみならず、律令制の再建を志向する道真と社会の実情に合わせた政策を採ろうとした時平との政治改革を巡る対立に求める意見がある。