In 764, he raised a rebellion (Rebellion of Fujiwara no Nakamaro) to succeed to the throne being helped, ironically, by FUJIWARA no Nakamaro (EMI no Oshikatsu) who had once obstructed a possible succession of Prince Shioyaki to the Imperial Throne.
764年、皮肉にもかつて塩焼王の皇位継承を阻んだその藤原仲麻呂（恵美押勝）に擁立されて天皇となるべく反乱（藤原仲麻呂の乱）を起こす。