Because Emperor Shirakawa was his cousin, he was deeply trusted by the Imperial Court and served Emperor Horikawa as a trusted vassal, while his wife FUJIWARA no Mitsuko served as a wet nurse for the emperors Horikawa and Toba.
白河天皇とは従兄弟に当たるため朝廷の信任も篤く、堀河天皇に近臣として仕え、妻藤原光子は堀河・鳥羽二代の乳母となった。