It is a temple with a connection to the imperial family that is thought to have originated with a Buddha statue hall constructed by the Emperor Toba at the East Palace of the Toba Rikyu (Toba Imperial Villa) that stands in the south of Kyoto.
京都の南に位置した鳥羽離宮の東殿に鳥羽天皇が造営した仏堂を起源とする天皇家ゆかりの寺院である。