It originated from the Otani-byodo Mausoleum (later became Hongan-ji Temple), which was built as the mausoleum of Shinran in Otani, Higashiyama Ward in 1272.
1272年（文永9年）に東山大谷の地に建立された親鸞の祖廟、大谷廟堂（のちの本願寺）に由来する。