The first reference to Edomae-zushi is found in a senryu (humorous poem) in "Yanagidaru" (a collection of senryu) published in 1829: 'Sushi shaped by ninja's magic' (made in 1827).* Ninja's pressing his hands together at eye level before using ninja skills looks like shaping sushi by hand.
文献的には文政12年（1829年　1827年作句）『柳多留』に「妖術という身で握るすしの飯」とあるのが初出である。