Initially, he became a priest at Enjo-ji Temple and was called Kyonokimi Ensei, and served as a bokan (a priest who served the Monzeki families) for Cloistered Imperial Prince Ene, Prince of Emperor Goshirakawa.
初め園城寺にて出家し卿公（きょうのきみ）円成といい、後白河天皇皇子である円恵法親王の坊官を務めていた。