In the military epic "The Tale of Hogen", Bifukumon-in was reported to have encouraged the Cloistered Emperor Toba to have Imperial Prince Masahito assume the throne, and this story is quite popular; however, other records of that date as well as history books, including "Gukansho" and "Imakagami," indicate that succession to the imperial throne of Emperor Konoe was decided mainly by the Cloistered Emperor Toba and FUJIWARA no Tadamichi; therefore, although such records suggest that the imperial succession was pursued in consideration of her grief, there is no evidence that supports the idea that she was directly involved in the decision of the imperial succession.
軍記物語である『保元物語』においては、美福門院は鳥羽法皇に働きかけて雅仁親王即位に至ったと書かれており、この話が広く知られているが、当時の記録類や『愚管抄』・『今鏡』などの歴史書では、近衛天皇の次の皇位継承は専ら鳥羽法皇と藤原忠通が主導して決定したと記述されており、彼女の悲嘆を配慮に入れた皇位継承が行われた事が想像されるものの、彼女が直接皇位継承に関与したとする史料的裏付けは存在しない。