It was one of the main residences of the sekkan-ke (the top family in the govermental hierarchy), and was also used as a goin (an emperor's residence other than the one in the palace) or a satodairi (an emperor's residence other than the one in the palace).
摂関家の当主の主要な居宅の一つであるとともに、後院や里内裏としても用いられた。