He became a nitto-shoyaku-so, a monk who was approved to go to China, with recommendation by Jichie (Jitsue) and he went to Tang with Ennin, Ensai, Jogyo, and others in 838.
実恵の推挙により入唐請益僧（にっとうしょうやくそう）となり、838年（承和(日本)5年）円仁・円載・常暁らと唐に渡った。