When Retired Empress Koken abolished Emperor Junnin and she herself took over the Imperial throne as a second enthronement self-proclaiming as Empress Shotoku after suppressing the Rebellion of Emi no Oshikatsu, Dokyo's influence over the Empress became extremely strong and Dokyo ascended through the ranks to Dajodaijin (Grand Minister) Zenji (master of Zen Buddhism), and in the next year, to Hoo (the Emperor of the Buddhist Law).
孝謙上皇は恵美押勝の乱鎮圧の後、淳仁天皇を廃して自ら称徳天皇として重祚すると、天皇の道鏡の権勢は非常に強まり、太政大臣禅師、翌には法王となった。