He was the son of FUJIWARA no Yoshitaka, who had the title of Ukone no Shosho (Minor Captain of the Right Palace Guards), and his mother was the daughter of MINAMOTO no Yasumitsu, who had the title of Momozono no Chunagon (provisional middle councilor).
右近衛少将藤原義孝の男、母は桃園中納言源保光の女。