It is not known when it was founded, but Gien Sojo is believed to have founded it on the remain of Okanomiya Palace resided by Prince Kusakabe, who was a prince of Emperor Tenmu and died at the age of 27.
創建時期は不明だが、天武天皇の皇子で27歳で早世した草壁皇子の住んだ岡宮の跡に義淵僧正が創建したとされる。