Founded in 1654, this temple of the Nanzenji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism was founded by Tari no Miya, an imperial princess of Emperor Gosui, and has served as a nun monastery for many generations. The temple is also known as the "temple of camellia" because of the 400-year-old "Nikko camellia," "cold camellia," "wabisuke camellia," and "white peony camellia" that Emperor Go-Suio loved bloom in the large pond garden from season to season. The temple is usually closed to the public, but is open to the public twice a year, in spring and fall, when the grounds are decorated with azaleas and camellias in spring and Japanese maples and maple trees in fall.
In addition to the "Four Seasons, Flowers, and Birds" barrier said to have been created by the Kano school in the shoin, and the statue of Nyoirin Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) in the main hall, the temple also houses Imperial Palace dolls, picture karuta, and other temple treasures related to the Imperial Household. （The main hall of the temple houses a statue of Nyoirin Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy).