represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.
He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie

Fujiwara no Kaneie

was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:Kaneie served as a minister during the reigns of Emperor En'yū, Emperor Kazan and Emperor Go-Ichijō....

 by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa. There were two regents and two imperial consorts among his brothers and sisters by the same mother.

As the youngest son of his father, he was not remarkable in the court until his two brothers died.