After the death of FUJIWARA no Kaneie in 990, his son, FUJIWARA no Michitaka, became Kanpaku, while FUJIWARA no Michinaga succeeded FUJIWARA no Michikane as Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) and was allowed to audit documents submitted to the emperor; Michinaga established his control of the Imperial government after a political struggle with FUJIWARA no Korechika (Michitaka's legitimate son) and rose to power.
正暦元年（990年）に兼家が没すると、子の藤原道隆が関白となり、次いで藤原道兼を経て、道長が左大臣となり内覧を許され、藤原伊周（道隆の嫡子）との政争の末に主導権を握り、権勢を振るうようになる。