In 1170 he became Hoin (highest rank of Priest), and Kanezane KUJO wrote in his diary called "Gyokuyo," '世上不レ為レ可云々、併莫レ不レ驚二耳目一' and when Shungyo was further promoted to sojo (a priest ranked in the highest managerial position) he wrote his opinion that it was 'bizarre.'
嘉応2年（1170年）法印となるが、これについて九条兼実は『玉葉』のなかで「世上不レ為レ可云々、併莫レ不レ驚二耳目一」との所管を書き、寿永元年（1182年）7月に更に僧正へと昇進する際には「奇異」とまで書いている。