His father was SAKANOUE no Korenori, one of the Sanjurokkasen (36 Immortal Poets) and the son of SAKANOUE no Yoshikage who was the great-grandson of SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro.
父は坂上田村麻呂の曾孫の坂上好蔭の子で、三十六歌仙の一人坂上是則。