His father was one of the Chuko sanjurokkasen (medieval 36 Immortal Poets) ARIWARA no Muneyana, and his grandfather was ARIWARA no Narihira who was one of Rokkasen (six best waka poets) and one of the Sanjurokkasen (36 Immortal Poets).
父は中古三十六歌仙の一人在原棟梁で、六歌仙・三十六歌仙の一人在原業平は祖父にあたる。