In 770, after Empress Shotoku died, Makibi backed FUNYA no Kiyomi and FUNYA no Ochi as candidates to the next Emperor, but his effort bore no fruit and it is believed Makibi later said 'I have never imagined to live to see myself humiliated this much'.
770年（宝亀元年）、称徳天皇が崩じた後には、後継の天皇候補として文室浄三および文室大市を推したが敗れ、「長生の弊、却りて此の恥に合ふ」と嘆息したという。