Since his youth, he won the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa's favor and, held positions of Ushosho (Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards), Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state), Sahyoe no kami (Captain of the Left Division of Middle Palace Guards), Jiju (Chamberlain), etc. consecutively and, in 1198, he was appointed to Udaijin (minister of the right).
若年より後白河法皇の寵愛を得、右少将、権中納言、左兵衛督、侍従等を歴任した後、建久9年(1198年)、右大臣に叙任。