An early Heian nobleman and poet, elder brother of Ariwara no Narihira and grandson of Emperor Heizei. He served five emperors, reaching the rank of Middle Counselor, and in 881 founded the Shōgaku-in academy for his clan. A tradition that he lived in seclusion at Suma inspired the Noh play Matsukaze. His Hyakunin Isshu poem, punning on the pines of Mount Inaba and the word 'to wait', was composed on his departure to serve as governor of Inaba province.
立ち別れ いなばの山の 峰に生ふる
まつとし聞かば 今帰り来む
Tachiwakare Inaba no yama no mine ni ouru / matsu to shi kikaba ima kaerikomu
Though I leave you for the land of Inaba, if I hear that you 'wait' for me — like the pine on the peak of Mount Inaba — I will come straight back home.