Northern Fujiwara
The temple was founded as a Tendai sect temple by order of Emperor Junna. However, written records from this time are scarce. During the late Nara period and early Heian period, after the establishment of a centralized government under the "Ritsuryō" system, the Yamato court sent a number of military expeditions to what is now the Tōhoku region of northern Japan to bring the local Emishi tribes under its control. Numerous temples were built in the region at this time, many of which are attributed to Jikaku Daishi. The temple was patronised by the Northern Fujiwara clan, and priests from Zuigan-ji met with Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and also with Minamoto no Yoritomo during his campaign to destroy the Northern Fujiwara at Hiraizumi.