As the temple site was located at the center of Shimogyo (southern Kyoto), it came to be a town temple and played a central role in the lives and culture of the people as well as self-governing activities, particularly following the Onin War.
寺地が下京の中心であったことから、特に応仁の乱の後からこの寺は町堂として町衆の生活文化や自治活動の中核となる役割を果たした。