 Following the middle of the Heian period (794 - 858), the shrine was used to worship the tutelary god of the Sasaki clan.It is said that through this, the "Ōmi-Genji Festival" is held every year on October 10 in respect of the Sasaki clan.One member of note amongst the Sasaki clan is none other than Sasaki Kojiro, the famous swordsman and rival of Miyamoto Musashi.