At this time, the Gakushuin was the a prestigious place for the decision-making of court nobles loyal to the Emperor, headed by Sanetomi SANJO, therefore this was an exceptional promotion for Kuniomi, who had come from humble beginnings as an ashigaru.
この頃の学習院は三条実美を中心とする攘夷派公卿の政策決定の場となっており、格式も高く足軽身分の国臣としては相当な大抜擢であった。