Born as the direct descendant of Mukarami-Genji, Michichika was ranked at Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) in 1158 at the early stage of the Cloister Government by the Emperor Goshirakawa.
村上源氏嫡流に生まれた通親は後白河天皇の院政初期の保元3年（1158年）に従五位下に任じられた。