The founder was Daisuke NISHINA (Daisuke TOGAKURE) who learned Shugendo (Japanese ascetic and shamanistic practice in mountainous sites) in Mt. Togakushi and served Yoshinaka KISO at the end of Heian period (there are also other theories).
平安時代末期、戸隠山で修験道を学び、木曽義仲に仕えた仁科大助（戸隠大助）が始祖（異説もある）。