While the Rinzai sect was supported by the military government at the time and had political and cultural influence, the Soto sect spread among local lords, local ruling families, low warriors and common people.
臨済宗が時の武家政権に支持され、政治・文化に重んじられたのに対し、曹洞宗は地方武家、豪族、下級武士、一般民衆に広まった。