He was the third Prince of Emperor Goshirakawa, but it was decided that he be the second Prince in "The Tale of the Taira Clan," since his older brother, monk-Imperial Prince Shukaku went into the priesthood.
後白河天皇の第三皇子だが、『平家物語』では兄の守覚法親王が仏門に入ったため第二皇子とされている。