Son of Bizen governor Morotsune no Ōhara. He entered court service in 795, and in 809 received the clan name Morotsune, later changed to Funya. After the Kusuko Incident of 810 he was posted to Tōhoku as inspector of Mutsu and Dewa, overseeing the Emishi campaigns. Named Sei-i Shōgun in 811, he commanded a force of some 26,000, and at year's end reported the Emishi subdued, winning approval to reduce troop levies and exempt commoners from taxes. He proposed relocating flood-prone Shiwa Castle, leading to the construction of Tokutan Castle about 10 km to the south around 812, and rose eventually to the rank of Chūnagon.