In 1577, Nobunaga ODA appointed him Dainagon (chief councilor of state) (during this period it was customary to appoint Gon Dainagons (provisional chief councilor of state) and the post of Dainagon was left opened, but Saneki was appointed Dainagon after the post had been vacant for 23 years.)
1577年には織田信長の推挙により大納言に任じられた（この時代には権大納言のみが任じられて正官の大納言は空席とされる慣習であったが、実枝は23年ぶりに任命された）。