When MINAMOTO no Yoritomo established the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) after the Battle between the Minamoto and Taira clans, he received Senge (an imperial proclamation) for the position of Nairan (document inspector who inspects documents presented to the Emperor in advance) in 1185 with strong support from Yoritomo, and became the Sessho regent of Emperor Gotoba and Fujiwarashi choja (chieftain of the Fujiwara family) in 1186.
源平の戦いを経て、最終的に源頼朝が鎌倉幕府を確立した後、文治元年（1185年）頼朝の強い推薦によって内覧の宣旨を受け、翌文治2年（1186年）後鳥羽天皇の摂政・藤原氏長者となる。