He was born in Sakyo of Heian-kyo (the ancient capital of Japan in current Kyoto) as the oldest child of YAMADA no Masuhito who was Echigo no suke (Assistant Provincial Governor of Echigo) and Jugoi (Junior Fifth Rank).
越後介従五位の山田益人（やまだのますひと）の長子として平安京の左京に生まれた。