Patronage by his father and Emperor Goshirakawa, he continued to be promoted thereafter until he rose to the rank of Shonii (Senior Second Rank) and was appointed as Udaijin (minister of the right) in 1157 after serving as Gon no chunagon (provisional middle councilor) and Gon no dainagon (provisional major councilor).
その後も父と後白河天皇の引き立てがあって権中納言・権大納言を経て1157年には正二位、右大臣に叙任される。