But, his grandfather, Kintsune who was a Kanto moshitsugi (a liaison with the east), held greater power than Michiie, thus he was assigned to serve as a Kanpaku (a chief advisor to the Emperor) at Kintsune's recommendation in 1242 when Emperor Gosaga ascended the throne.
だが、この頃の朝廷では関東申次である祖父の公経が道家を上回る実力を持っていたこともあって、後嵯峨天皇が即位した1242年には公経の推薦で関白に任じられるまでに至った。