However, the decline of the Tachibana clan led Sangi (Councilor) TACHIBANA no Tsunehira to become the last kugyo (court noble) in his clan and the authorization was delegated to Dainagon (Major Counselor) FUJIWARA no Michitaka, the son of FUJIWARA no Tokihime (the lawful wife of FUJIWARA no Kaneie) who was the daughter of Dainagon TACHIBANA no Sumikiyo.
しかし、橘氏が次第に衰退し、参議橘恒平を最後に公卿を輩出しなくなったこともあり、ついに氏爵の推挙は大納言橘澄清の女より生まれた藤原時姫（藤原兼家正室）所生の大納言藤原道隆に委ねられることとなった。