It is unknown when Go-Toba-in acquired an interest in poetry, but generally it is said that he started when he abdicated the throne in January 1198; also, in August of that year he suddenly started writing poems after the imperial visit to Kumano, and in 1199 he often opened poetry competitions (poetry parties or contests).
院がいつごろから歌作に興味を持ちはじめたかは分明ではないが、通説では建久9年（1198年）一月の譲位、ならびに同8月の熊野行幸以降急速に和歌に志すようになり、正治元年（1199年）以降盛んに歌会・歌合などを行うようになった。