An excellent waka poet, Ienaga was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Office of Waka to be engaged in compilation of ""Shin Kokin Waka Shu" (New Collection of Ancients and Modern Poems), and he himself performed as a waka poet and participated in various poetry contests including "Ingodo Hyakushu," "Sengohyaku ban Utaawase (One thousand and five hundreds Set of Poetry Match)," "Genkyushi Utaawase," "Dojohoshinno Gojusshu" (unknown date), "Toin Sessho Hyakushu," and "Hiyoshishasen Utaawase."
和歌に優れ、和歌所開闔となり『新古今和歌集』の編纂事務にあたるとともに、自ら歌人として活躍し、「院後度百首」（）、「千五百番歌合」（）、「元久詩歌合」（）、「道助法親王五十首」（時期不明）、「洞院摂政百首」（頃）、「日吉社撰歌合」（）など各種歌合に出詠した。