It is said that he was born in Mihara, Bingo Province (present-day Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) and was a Buddhist monk of Joju-ji Temple of Rinzaishu sect; but some people say he was born in Osaka and others say Kyoto.
生まれは備後国三原（現在の広島県三原市）で、臨済宗成就寺の僧侶とされるが、大坂、京都出生説もある。