At age 11, he entered the local large Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple and began to study the ways of the Tendai sect, but after awakening to Zen Buddhism, he travelled to consult with Koho Kennichi of Kamakura and Nampo Jomin of Kyoto.
11歳の時、地元の大寺院である書写山円教寺に入り、天台宗を学ぶが、のち禅宗にめざめ、鎌倉の高峰顕日（こうほうけんにち）、京の南浦紹明（なんぽじょうみん）に参禅。