He was a poet, being a member of Rokkasen (Six best Waka poets) and Sanjurokkasen (Thirty-six immortal poets), and he is also considered to be the main character of Ise Monogatari (The Tales of Ise).
歌人であり、六歌仙、三十六歌仙のひとり、また伊勢物語の主人公とみなされる。