But in 1483, with the death of his eldest brother Junnyo, Jitsunyo was once again made successor (and for that reason, there are actually two letters of inheritance, used by his father the chief priest to name his successor, in existence that designate Jitsunyo his heir), and in 1489, he succeeded his father Rennyo and became the ninth abbot of Hongan-ji Temple.
1483年（文明_(日本)15年）長兄である順如の死没により改めて法嗣となり（そのため、法主が後継者指名に用いた譲状が実如には2枚存在する）、1489年（延徳8年）父蓮如のあとを受けて本願寺第9世となった。