In 1177, the appointments of Shigemori and Munemori to the posts of Sadaisho (Major Captain the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards) and Udaisho (Major Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards), respectively, and Goshirakawa's paying a visit to Fukuhara seemed to indicate that tensions had eased; however, the fissure was deepened when, in May 1177, Enryaku-ji Temple launched a strong campaign directly petitioning for the banishment of FUJIWARA no Morotaka, Kaga no kami (the governor of Kaga Province).
翌安元3年（1177年）、重盛・宗盛がそれぞれ左大将・右大将となり、後白河が福原を訪問したことで対立は緩和されたかに見えたが、4月に延暦寺が加賀守・藤原師高の流罪を要求して強訴を起こすと亀裂は逆に深まっていく。