Emperor Ichijo was succeeded by Emperor Sanjo who did not get on well with Michinaga and, because the Emperor was on the verge of blindness due to eye disease, Michinaga repeatedly urged him to abdicate.
一条天皇の後を継いだ三条天皇と道長とは確執があり、天皇が失明寸前の眼病を患ったことから、道長はしきりと譲位を迫っていた。