However, "Imakagami" (The Mirror of the Present) describes 'Having thought she was a wonderful woman since childhood, he seemed to want the fourth imperial princess (Imperial Princess Tokushi) as his empress by all means,' purporting that her entry into court was strongly desired by Emperor Horikawa.
しかし、『今鏡』では「幼くより類なく見とり奉らせ給ひて、ただ四の宮をとか思ほせりけるにや侍りけむ（幼い頃よりこの上なく素晴らしい方と思って、后にするならどうしても四の宮（篤子内親王）をとお思いになられたようだ）」とあり、堀河天皇自身がこれを強く望んでの入内であったとしている。