After serving as jiju (a chamberlain) and at Emonfu (Headquarters of the Outer Palace Guards), his position was revised from Nisei Genji (second generation of the Minamoto clan) to Issei Genji (Emperor's son who went out of Imperial Family and had Genji name) on May 15, 884 soon after his father, Emperor Koko, ascended the throne, and took up his residence in the Sakyoichijo district.
侍従・衛門府を歴任して父・光孝天皇が即位した直後に元慶8年4月13日(旧暦)（884年5月11日）に二世源氏から一世源氏に改められて左京一条に貫せられた。