After the Hogen War, the political situation of the capital was very fluid from a power struggle between the political faction supporting Shinsei (direct imperial rule by the Emperor) of Emperor Nijo and the political faction supporting Insei (rule by the retired Emperor) of Emperor Goshirakawa, and antipathy towards FUJIWARA no Michinori who rapidly increased in power.
保元の乱の後、二条天皇親政派と後白河院政派の争い、急速に勢力を伸ばした藤原通憲への反感などがあり、都の政局は流動的であった。