At the time, he accidently found three pieces of Mokujiki-butsu: a statue of Jizo Bosatsu, a statue of Muryoju Bosatsu and a statue of Kobo Daishi; it is said that he was impressed with mokujiki-butsu's high level of artistry.
その際、偶然に同家所蔵の地蔵菩薩像、無量寿菩薩像、弘法大師像の3体の木喰仏を見出し、木喰仏の芸術性の高さに打たれたという。