According to "Gotobain Gokuden," the Retired Emperor Gotoba said, 'I always thought that Saigyo was a true standout who one may meet only once in a lifetime; his poems were so artistic yet profoundly moving, but now that I have met him in person, as if our paths were destined to cross, I believe with admiration that he is a natural poet, I believe with admiration that he is a natural poet.
『後鳥羽院御口伝』に「西行はおもしろくてしかも心ことに深く、ありがたく出できがたきかたもともにあひかねて見ゆ。生得の歌人と覚ゆ。