[citation needed] It is the Sōja of Musashi Province It is dedicated to Musahi no Okunitama [simple; ja] identified as Ōkuninushi Within the shrine complex, there are many buildings and points of interest.

According to the shrine's legend, it was established on 5 May in the 41st year of the reign of Emperor Keikō, which corresponds to 111 AD in the western calendar.

[citation needed] Ryotaro Shiba, a Japanese essay writer and novelist, observed that this festival resulted in disorderly conduct by the participants.

[1] He claimed that, amongst the single men and women who had gathered to sing and dance for each other, were also those who were married and who intended to have sex under cover of darkness.

On May 4, the road approaching the temple (Keyaki Namiki (ケヤキ並木, Zelkova Row)) is used as a track for horse-racing and performances of a masked folk dance known as Fuchuu Hayashi (府中囃子).