When the retired Emperor Gouda of Daikakuji-to (imperial lineage starting with Emperor Kameyama) started the cloister government, gaining the appointment as a In no Kinshin (the retired Emperor's courtier), Arifusa began to advance rapidly whereby after gaining the double assignments of Sadaiben (major controller of the left) and Sangi (councilor) in 1301, was promoted to Gon Chunagon (provisional vice-councilor of state) in 1303 which was followed by an additional post of the indenso (a job title to relay messages of court people to the retired emperor) climbing to the post of Gon Dainagon (provisional chief councilor of state) in 1308.
ところが、大覚寺統の後宇多上皇が院政を開始すると院近臣として登用されて急速に昇進し、正安3年（1301年）に左大弁兼参議となると、嘉元元年（1303年）には権中納言に昇進して後に院伝奏を兼ね、延慶(日本)元年（1308年）には権大納言に達した。