In February 1178, Shigemori offered his resignation as Inner Minister, but his offer was declined because chugu (the second consort of an emperor) Tokuko became pregnant and Shigemori was the father of the chugu.
治承2年（1178年）2月には内大臣の辞任を申し出るが、中宮・徳子が懐妊したため、中宮の父とされていた重盛の辞任は認められなかった。