During the era of the Emperor Heijo, he served as Nakatsukasa-kyo (Minister of the Ministry of Central Affairs) cum Dazai no sochi (Governor-General of the Dazai-fu offices) from 806 and was actually the leader of the Imperial Family.
実際に、平城天皇朝においても、大同元年から中務卿兼大宰帥を務めて、皇族の重鎮となっていた。