During this period of frustration, he learned Buddhism under Tannen Osho, a chief priest at Kezoan in Matsuse, Saga County, and at the age of 21, he received kechimyaku (heritage of the Law) (the light of Buddhism handed down from a master to his disciple) and akonenju (recite a prayer in a form of verses to praise the Amitabuddah in a religious ritual; in which he received his funeral performed while in life and hogo (Buddhist name) Jocho Gyokuzan).
失意のこの頃、佐賀郡松瀬の華蔵庵において湛然和尚に仏道を学び、21歳のときに仏法の血脈(けちみゃく)（師から弟子に法灯が受けつがれること）と下炬念誦(あこねんじゅ)（生前葬儀の式、旭山常朝の法号を受けた）を申し請けている。