Entering the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 18, he studied Rinzai Zen under Eicho at Choraku-ji Temple in Kozuke Province and then Gyoyu at Jufuku-ji Temple in Kamakura.
18歳で得度し、上野長楽寺の栄朝、次いで鎌倉寿福寺の行勇に師事して臨済禅を学ぶ。