In 1252, Tokitsugu became a Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain), and then became a Sangi (councilor) in 1255 after successively holding posts such as Jibukyo (Minister of the Ministry of Civil Administration) and Kunaikyo (Minister of the Sovereign's Household).
建長4年（1252年）に蔵人頭となり、治部卿・宮内卿などを歴任後、建長7年（1255年）に参議となる。