Consequently, his influence at court increased and in 737, 8th month (August/September) Genbō became chief priest of Kōfuku-ji, head of the northern branch of the Hossō sect of Buddhism, and he gained the highest monastic rank sōjō (primary prelate).
Akibatnya, pengaruhnya di pengadilan meningkat dan pada 737, bulan ke-8 (Agustus / September) Genbō menjadi imam kepala Kōfuku-ji, kepala cabang utara dari sekte Buddha Hossō, dan dia memperoleh peringkat tertinggi sachi monastik (prelatus utama).