The temple was founded in Iwatsuki, Saitama in 1375 by Sekishitsu Zenkyū, who had served as the Abbot of Engaku-ji, Tenryū-ji and Shōfuku-ji.

[1] During this period the original temple was destroyed in 1590 during an attack on Iwatsuki Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The temple grounds are situated in a forested area and is considered to be a national monument.

The gardens are notable for the maple trees in autumn and the ume blossoms in early spring.

The bell, with the ume blossom, was the inspiration for one of Toshi Yoshida's wood block prints.