Optically pure L-( + )-C"-methyl-arginine and D-( -)-C"-methyl-arginine were synthesized. Experimental results indicated that DL-C"-methyl-arginine methyl ester could be resolved by trypsin, but workup posed a technical difficulty. Chemical resolution at the stage of DL-C"-methyl-ornithine, followed by selective guanidination using N,N'-di-Cbz-S-methylisothiourea and hydrogenolysis provided a effective and practical method for the synthesis of optically pure C"-methyl-arginine.