He lost his mother when he was 14 years old, and he entered into priesthood at age 17 under the supervision of daisojo (a Buddhist priest of the highest order) Jitsusuke (実助); he was able to do so because he was the adopted son of Katsumitsu HINO, who was the Soke (the head family or house) of the Otani family.
14歳で母を失い、17歳の時大谷家の宗家である日野勝光の猶子の資格で大僧正実助の元で得度する。