Jindai-ji is an ancient temple founded in 733 (the fifth year of Tempyō). In the Edo period, it was Degaicho held in Ekōin in Ryōgoku in 1765 (the second year of Meiwa) and 1816 (the thirteenth year of Bunka) that helped the name of Jindai-ji Temple become widely known. It is said that people in Edo were surprised at the scale of the image of Gansan Daishi in Jindai-ji Temple. Because the Goma rite (a Buddhist purification ritual) was held on the 3rd and 18th days of every month, people visiting from nearby areas were so numerous, particularly on the 18th day of the first month, fifth month and ninth month of the old lunar calendar, that markets sprung up in front of the gates.