However, at first they had not assembled the same degree of strength as the Kawachi-Genji (Minamoto clan), and by the time of the first half of Retired Emperor Shirakawa's rule, they had barely managed to achieve the court rank of goi (fifth rank), at the time they were amongst the lowest ranking courtiers, the samurahihon (minor nobility).
だが、当初は河内源氏ほどの勢力を築き得ず、白河上皇の院政期前半までは辛うじて五位であり、当時の貴族としては最下層（侍品）であった。