As a calligrapher, Michikaze was held in high esteem in his day, and at a time the Imperial Court and nobility made much ado about the 'rebirth of Gishi O' (also known as WANG Xizhi, a celebrated Chinese calligrapher).
書家としての道風の名声は生存当時から高く、当時の宮廷や貴族の間では「王羲之（中国の著名な書家）の再生」ともてはやされた。