Minamoto no Nariyori, great-grandson of Masazane, is the first who took the name of Sasaki from his domain in Ōmi province (now Shiga).

He was killed during the Genpei war (1180-1185) at the battle of Ōhara (1184) in Ōmi province fighting against the Taira clan.

His descendants received from their Seiwa Genji cousins the title of shugo (governor) of Ōmi and other provinces, which they kept until the 16th century Sengoku Period wars.

Following the middle of the Heian period (794 - 858), the shrine was used to worship the tutelary god of the Sasaki clan.

The favorite technique of Kojiro was his "Tsubame Gaeshi" (Turning Swallow Cut), which he attempted to use on Musashi throughout their duel.