Establishment as a Temple

After Yoshimasa's death in 1490 and in accordance with his final wishes, the Higashiyama villa was converted into a Zen temple with Musô Soseki as its honorary founder. The temple was named Jishô-in after Yoshimasa's posthumous name Jishôindono; the following year the name was revised to Jishô-ji.

The first abbot of the temple was Hôsho Shûzai (d. 1522). The second abbot, Isan Shûka, was the younger brother of Yoshimi's second son, the Ashikaga shogun Yoshitane (1466-1563), and was fifteen when he became the abbot. The abbots of following generations survived the vicissitudes of the Warring Countries period (1482-1558) and successfully protected the Silver Pavilion (Kannon Hall) and the Tôgudô.