He became a priest under Jogyo, the head priest of Tsuruoka Hachimangu-ji Temple, and received the Buddhist name "Kugyo" on September 15, 1211 (old calendar).
建暦元年（1211年）9月15日に鶴岡八幡宮寺別当定暁の下で出家し「公暁」の戒名を受ける。