Although he was a relative of TAIRA no Kiyomori, he consistently sided with the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa even during the period when Heishi (Taira clan) was increased its power probably because he was far younger than Tokitada, his half older brother with the same father.
平清盛の縁戚につながる一人でありながら、異母兄の時忠と年齢が離れていたこともあり、平氏の勢力拡大時においても一貫して後白河法皇の側にあった。