In 789 when he was 15 years old, he learned from ATO no Otari, who was a tutor of Imperial Prince Iyo, a prince of Emperor Kanmu and the father-in-law of his mother, Rongo Analects, Kokyo (the book of filial piety), shiden (history and related items) and monjo (literature).
延暦8年（789年）、15歳で桓武天皇の皇子伊予親王の家庭教師であった母方の舅である阿刀大足について論語、孝経、史伝、文章等を学んだ。