His mother was a high-ranking lady in the court (a wife of an emperor), FUJIWARA no Meishi, Akirakeiko (Some dono no kisaki), who was the daughter of Grand Minister FUJIWARA no Yoshifusa.
母は太政大臣藤原良房の娘、女御藤原明子(染殿后)（めいし、あきらけいこ）。