He gained the trust of Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa since he was serving as betto (chief officer) in Toba-in (cloister government by the Retired Emperor Toba), and after being appointed as betto in Goshirakawa-incho (the retired Emperor Goshirakawa's Office), also, he made success as one of the biggest aides of the Cloistered Emperor (In no Kinshin).
鳥羽院別当をつとめていたことで後白河法皇の信任を得て、後白河院庁でも別当に任じられ、法皇最大の側近の一人（院近臣）として活躍した。