He became a kurodo (chamberlain) of Emperor Ninmyo and was promoted to the Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) in 849; however, he suffered a 13-year period without being promoted during the reign of Emperor Montoku.
仁明天皇の蔵人となり、嘉祥2年（849年）従五位下に進むが、文徳天皇の代になると13年に渡って昇進がとまり不遇な時期を過ごした。