He was from the Murakami-Genji (Minamoto clan) and was born to Kanga, who was the Hoin (the highest rank in the hierarchy of Buddhist priests) of the Ki-dera Temple (an inge [a branch temple for supporting services of the main temple] of the Ninna-ji Temple).
村上源氏の出身で、木寺（仁和寺院家）の法印寛雅の子。