He was born as a son of SUGAWARA no Nagamori (TAKATSUJI no Nagamori) who was at the rank of Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) and assumed the position of Daigaku no kami (Chief of the Bureau of Education) in 1158.
保元3年（1158年）、菅原長守（高辻長守）（従四位上・大学頭）の子として生まれる。