Emperor Jimmu's conquest of Yamato was aided by Umashimaji, who is enshrined here. His father's spirit sword, Futsu-no-mitama, is worshipped alongside him as one of the shrine's five kami.

The shrine was founded in 514 AD by order of Emperor Keitai at the foot of Mount Yaoyama, where the founder of the Mononobe clan is said to be buried in an ancient kofun tomb.