Although a specific source is unknown, it is speculated that the story can be based on the anecdotes of TAIRA no Munenaka from "Zoku Koji Dan"(narrative in Kamakura period), in which a poetry contest hosted by MINAMOTO no Morofusa was portrayed.
特定の典拠となった作品は不明であるが、『続古事談』に見える源師房家での歌合における平棟仲の逸話などから創作されたとも想像される。