Because his father was Emperor Toba's favorite retainer, he quickly moved up the social ladder, being awarded Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) in 1142 at the age of 5.
父が鳥羽天皇の第一の寵臣であったことから昇進は早く、康治元年（1142年）に5歳で従五位下に叙せられる。