As he learned that there was extralingual transmission of the Zen dharma 'Zen sect', he practiced Zen meditation under Muhonkakushin, who studied Buddhism in Sung China and was in Kokoku-ji Temple in Kii Province, and further studied the genuine Zen sect Buddhism under Ryozen Homyo in Dewa Province, then under Koho Kennichi in Ungan-ji temple in Nasu, and under Nanbo Shomyo in Hakata Sofuku-ji temple (in Fukuoka City, at present).
教外別伝の禅宗があることを知り、紀伊国興国寺において入宋僧である無本覚心に参禅し、更に出羽国の了然法明、那須雲岩寺の高峰顕日、博多崇福寺(福岡市)の南浦紹明に師事し本格的な禅宗を学ぶ。