As his father Shinzei grabbed power after the Hogen War, he was gradually promoted and became an official of Konoefu (the Headquarters of the Inner Palace Guards) through other positions such as kokushi (provincial governors) of Totomi Province and Harima Province.
保元の乱を経て父の信西が権勢を握るとともに昇進し、遠江国、播磨国の国司などを経て近衛府となる。