Although he had a hard time when he was young because his father died of disease while being Sani (courtier without post), he was promoted thanks to the confidence of Michiie KUJO and the Retired Emperor Gosago after being promoted to Ushoben (Minor Controller of the Right) in 1238.
父は散位の状態で病死したために、若年時には苦労したが暦仁元年（1238年）に右少弁に昇って以後は九条道家・後嵯峨上皇の信任を受けて昇進する。