A Kanpaku was assigned, but SHIRAKAWA attempted to rule directly like his father had done, after his father, the retired Emperor, died of illness in 1070 (Jiryaku 5), and also attempted to regulate the Shoen(manor) system thereby trying to weaken the influence of the Regent/Kanpaku Houses.
関白を置いたが、翌5年、上皇の病没後も、父同様に親政を目指し、荘園整理などに力を入れ摂関家の権勢を弱めることに努める。