According to the biography "Kenzeiki", he lost his father (Michichika) at 3 years of age, his mother at 8, and was adopted by his half brother Michitomo HORIKAWA.
伝記である『建撕記』によれば、3歳で父（通親）を、8歳で母を失って、異母兄である堀川通具の養子になった。