It is considered that goryu-shinto was established from the end of Heian period to Kamakura period, and goryu-shinto was handed down with various kancho ceremonies (a type of Buddhism ceremony) and, in Muromachi period, goryu-shinto kagyohosoku (training rules) based on esoteric Buddhism courtesy was established and, at the start of Edo period, the format of inshin (a certificate certifying handing down of the secrets in esoteric Buddhism) was completed for 80 inshin and koketsu (the secrets orally handed down) called goryu-shinto-koketsu was also established.
平安時代末期から鎌倉時代にかけて成立したと考えられ、様々な灌頂儀式とともに伝承され、室町時代には密教的儀礼に基づいた御流神道加行法則が成立し、江戸時代初期には八十通印信の印信形式を整え、御流神道口決と呼ばれる口決も成立した。