The Tomo clan that his mother was from produced famous poets such as OTOMO no Tabito and OTOMO no Yakamochi (the family name was originally Otomo but was changed in order to avoid using the personal name of Emperor Junna, who was called Prince Otomo before ascending the throne).
母方の伴氏は、大伴旅人、大伴家持ら高名な歌人を輩出している（古代の大伴氏が淳和天皇の避諱で改名した）。