The relationship between Michinaga and Emperor Sanjo wasn't good, as Michinaga tried to set up an early enthronement for his maternal grandchildren while the Emperor preferred to rule the government directly; after Emperor Sanjo's chugu, FUJIWARA no Kenshi (Michinaga's second daughter) had a baby girl, although a boy was expected, and Michinaga approached the Emperor to abdicate the throne on the basis of the Emperor's eye disease.
外孫の早期即位を図る道長と親政を望む三条天皇との関係は円滑を欠き、かつ三条天皇が納れた道長の次女・中宮藤原妍子が両者の期待を裏切って女児を生んだこともあり、道長は天皇の眼病を理由にしきりに譲位を迫った。