The restoration of Todai-ji Temple was hampered by many financial and technical problems but in 1881 after Chogen came to inspect the damage, he made a proposal for the temple's restoration to Emperor Goshirakawa's messenger FUJIWARA no Yukitaka, who agreed and appointed him Todai-ji Temple Daikanjin.
東大寺の再建には財政的、技術的に多大な困難があったが、養和元年（1181年）、重源は被害状況を視察に来た後白河法皇の使者である藤原行隆に東大寺再建を進言し、それに賛意を示した行隆の推挙を受けて東大寺大勧進職に就いた。