However, just after the downfall of the Shogunate, the then head of the family Kimmune SAIONJI was executed and the Saionji family's extensive territory and assets confiscated after he was accused of plotting to invite Emperor Godaigo to Saion-ji Temple to assassinate him.
しかしながら、幕府滅亡直後に当主・西園寺公宗が後醍醐天皇を西園寺に招待して暗殺しようと企てたという容疑がかけられて処刑されてしまい、西園寺家の膨大な所領と資産は没収されてしまう。