She started to work at the Imperial Palace at the age of 18 and became a court lady who served the Retired Emperor Toba, and as he came to love her very much, they exchanged marriage vows.
18歳で宮中で仕え、のちに鳥羽上皇に仕える女官となったが、次第に鳥羽上皇に寵愛され、契りを結ぶこととなった。