The temple originated from a training hall dedicated to the eleven-face Kannon founded in the year 951 (in the mid-Heian period) by monk Kuya ICHIHIJIRI who was known for chanting the name of Buddha while beating a bell and dancing, and was called Saiko-ji Temple at first.
踊り念仏で知られる市聖（いちひじり）空也（くうや）が平安時代中期の天暦5年（951年）に造立した十一面観音を本尊とする道場に由来し、当初西光寺と称した。