A late Heian poet and scholar, second son of Fujiwara no Akisuke and his successor as head of the Rokujō school. Estranged from his father for a time, he advanced slowly in office. He compiled a sequel to the Shikashū for Emperor Nijō, but the emperor's death prevented it from becoming an imperial anthology. His handbooks of poetic lore and etiquette, the Fukuro-zōshi and Ōgishō, are indispensable sources on classical waka practice. As a judge of contests he was Shunzei's chief rival. About ninety-five of his poems are in imperial anthologies. His Hyakunin Isshu poem reflects that today's sorrows may someday be missed.
長らへば またこのごろや しのばれむ
憂しと見し世ぞ 今は恋しき
Nagaraeba mata konogoro ya shinobaren / ushi to mishi yo zo ima wa koishiki
If I live on, will I someday look back fondly on even these painful days? For the days I once found so hard now seem dear to me.