In July 1183, when the Taira family fled to the west with the Emperor Antoku, Michichika followed the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa, who took shelter in Mt. Hiei and bid farewell to the Taira family.
寿永2年（1183年）7月、平家が安徳天皇を連れて西国に落ちたときに通親は比叡山に避難した後白河法皇に同行し平家との訣別を表明した。