Ittoen was founded by Rev. Tenko Nishida in 1905. It is a community of people who seek to live a life of having no possessions and giving service to others, in a spirit of penitence. At the foundation of this community is the faith that when human beings live in accordance with the ways of nature, we are enabled to live even without owning things and even without converting labor into money.

At Ittoen, all necessities for life that are provided through the blessing of Light (God, Buddha, Mother Nature) are entrusted to "Senkosha." "Senkosha," then, is an economic organ for managing goods in such a way that they serve people and do not become a source of social conflict. The physical and social community embodying the ideals of Ittoen exists as the village of Kosenrin in the Yamashina Ward of Kyoto. Kosenrin Village was established in its present location in 1928, and it was incorporated as a foundation in 1929. At present, there are about 70 structures spread over 33 hectares of land, and there are approximately 130 persons living in the community.

The permanent members (residents) are actively living and working in accordance with the way of Light as a big family.