It was founded as a school for Buddhist priests of the Nishi Hongan-ji denomination in 1639, and became a secularized university in 1876. The university's professors and students founded the literary magazine Chūōkōron in 1887.
Founded as a school for Buddhist priests of the Nishi Hongan-ji denomination in 1639, it became a secular institution in 1876. The university's professors and students established the literary magazine Chūōkōron in 1887.