Michinaga did not wish to be appointed Chancellor in order to maintain his political base, as being the Grand Council of State, he was in the highest political position of 'Nairan Sadaijin (Minister of the left) for twenty years, until his grandchild, Emperor Goichijo appointed Michinaga as the Chancellor, during this time there was no one in fact in the position Chancellor.
道長も太政官を政治的基盤として維持するために関白就任を望まず、道長が孫の後一条天皇の摂政に就任するまでの20年間「内覧左大臣」として最高権力の地位に座り、摂関不在状態が続いた。