Based on the records in "Shoku Nihongi" (Chronicle of Japan Continued) dated on twenty-third day, twelfth month of the fourth year of Enryaku era (old calendar), its origin is believed to be fact that four persons including SUGAWARA no Kiyokimi, and SUGAWARA no Kiyotsuna, both were the sons of the late provincial governor of Totomi Province SUGAWARA no Furuhito, were granted Gakumonryo.
その起源は『続日本紀』延暦4年12月23日(旧暦)条に故遠江国国史菅原古人の子である菅原清公・菅原清綱ら4名に学問料を給付したこととされている。