TOMO no Yoshio, son of Kunimichi, began to distinguish himself in politics in the days of Emperor Seiwa, and a Dainagon (Chief Councilor of State) was chosen from the Otomo clan in 864 for the first time in years.
その後、清和天皇朝に国道の子、伴善男（とものよしお）が頭角を現し、864年に久々に大納言を出す。