It is said that this incident happened because the Emperor wanted his son to succeed the throne; on the other hand, FUJIWARA no Yoshifusa used the Emperor's intentions and formed a plot against him in order that his nephew Michiyasu could succeed to the throne.
これには自らの息子に皇位を継がせたい帝の意思と、それを利用して甥である道康を立太子させたい藤原良房の陰謀があったと言われている。