In the kanajo (a preface written in kana) for "Kokin Wakashu" (A Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry), he was feted as a kasei (great poet) together with KAKINOMOTO no Hitomaro.
『古今和歌集』の仮名序において、柿本人麻呂とともに歌聖と呼ばれ称えられている。