At first, he identified himself as Shogiku KYUEI and practiced ascetic training at Zentoku-ji Temple in Suruga, and later at Kennin-ji Temple of the Kyoto Gozan (Five Great zen Temples of Kyoto).
はじめは九英承菊（きゅうえいしょうぎく）と名乗って、駿河の善得寺、後に京都五山の建仁寺で修行をしていた。