He was the third son of Shosenko (posthumous title to honor past performance) FUJIWARA no Mototsune, and his mother was Princess Soshi, a daughter of Imperial Prince Saneyasu, who was a son of Emperor Ninmyo.
昭宣公藤原基経の三男で、母は仁明天皇の皇子人康親王の娘・操子女王。