Background
Ariwara no Narihira was born in 825. He was a grandson of two emperors: Emperor Heizei through his father, Prince Abo and Emperor Kanmu through his mother, Princess Ito. He was the fifth child of Prince Abo, but was supposedly the only child of Princess Ito, who lived in the former capital at Nagaoka.
Career
Was appointed Lieutenant General in the Right Imperial Guard in 877 and Kurodo-no-Kami (Chief Imperial Court Secretary) in 879. Regarded as the best of the Six Masters of Waka, he was a distinguished lyrical poet.
Personality
In the year following his birth, the Emperor granted him the family name of Arihara. He was an extremely handsome and elegant person of a free, independent character.