The family excelled at waka poetry and playing kemari (an ancient Japanese sport similar to soccer), as well as calligraphy.
The Asukai family were a branch of the Fujiwara clan,[1] and were known especially for their skill at composing waka poetry and playing kemari (Japanese football).
[1] He was selected as one of the compilers of the Shin-Kokin Wakashū,[1] and also had a distinguished political career,[1] thus laying the foundations for the future prosperity of his house.
[1] Masayori's son Masayo (飛鳥井雅世) was entrusted by the shōgun Ashikaga Yoshinori to compile the Shinshoku Kokin Wakashū, an imperial anthology.
[1] Masayo's sons Masachika (飛鳥井雅親) and Masayasu (飛鳥井雅康) both became the confidants of Ashikaga Yoshimasa and Yoshihisa,[1] and were influential figures in the court-samurai poetic world that developed at that time.