Emperor Uda did not appoint Sekkan (regents and advisers) after the death of Kanpaku (chief adviser to the Emperor) FUJIWARA no Mototsune in 891, and carried out various political reforms using MINAMOTO no Yoshiari as a virtual leader, promoting trusted vassals such as FUJIWARA no Tokihira, SUGAWARA no Michizane, and TAIRA no Suenaga.
宇多天皇は、891年（寛平3年）の関白藤原基経の死後摂関を置かず、源能有を事実上の首班として藤原時平と菅原道真、平季長等の近臣を重用し各種政治改革を行った。