were recognised as a group in the beginning of the Edo period. Due to the limited size of their clientele, they were never numerous; during their peak there were approximately 40  working in Kyoto in the Shimabara district.
During the early Edo period, these people were identified as a collective. Due to their small client base, they did not become widespread; at their peak, approximately 40 individuals worked in Kyoto's Shimabara area.