In 1190, when Yoritomo wanted to receive the title of Seii taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians"), the Cloistered Emperor and Michichika appointed Yoritomo to Ukone no daisho (Major Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards) and deflected the request.
建久元年（1190年）、頼朝が征夷大将軍を望んだときも法皇と通親は頼朝を右近衛大将に任じてやんわりと要求をかわしている。