A Tendai Buddhist temple constructed from 1586 - 1588 in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto at the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who wanted a "giant Buddha" temple in the capital city to rival that of Nara.

The temple has been destroyed by fire, lightning, and earthquake and rebuilt several times. During the Meiji era its land was subdivided and allocated to Kyoumei Shrine to its south and adjacent Houkoku Shrine, thus greatly reducing the size of the temple.