Around 1198, assisting his father, Unkei, he produced statues of Nio (guardians of the temple) and statues of Niten (Two devas) inTo-ji Temple at the workshops of his four brothers, including his elder brother, Tankei.
建久9年（1198年）頃、父運慶に従い、兄湛慶ら4人の兄弟で東寺の仁王及び二天像を造立した。