The shrine legend also tells the shrine originated when Tamayoribime, the mother of Emperor Jinmu, sailed up the Yodo-gawa River, Kamo-gawa River (Yodo-gawa River system), and Kifune-gawa River where she disembarked at the site of the shine and enshrined the water god.
社伝によれば、神武天皇の母であるタマヨリビメが、黄色い船に乗って淀川・鴨川(淀川水系)・貴船川を遡って当地に上陸し、水神を祭ったのに始まると伝えている。