The Edo period Kampaku, under the Laws for Imperial Court and Nobles, as a rule had to be recommended by the Shogunate, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Kampaku, who was supposed to be the Emperor's first minister and the highest ranking noble, was in fact under control of the Shogunate.
江戸時代の関白職は禁中並公家諸法度にて幕府の推薦を経ることが原則とされ、天皇第一の臣にして公家の最高位たる関白職は実質的に幕府の支配下にあったといっても過言ではない。