Established in 991 (Shoreki 2) by Emperor Ichijo, the temple was founded by Nikai Sojo, the eighth disciple of Kobo Daishi (Kukai). In ancient times, it was called Mt. Ushiki Mandara-ji Temple. The area around the temple was once home to the Ono clan, and is said to be the place where Ono no Komachi, a poet in the Heian period, spent the rest of his life after leaving the palace. Remains related to Komachi still remain today, such as the Fumizuka, where a thousand love letters sent to Komachi were buried, and the Komachi Bunbari Jizo, where a memorial service was held with love letters pasted on the back of the Jizo statue.