In 1525 he became the 10th chief priest of Hongan-ji Temple at the age of 10 due to the death of his grandfather, Jitsunyo, and was placed under the guardianship of Renjun, who was a brother of Jitsunyo and his maternal grandfather.
1525年、祖父実如の死去により、10歳で本願寺第10代門主となり、実如の弟で証如の母方の祖父である蓮淳の後見を受ける。