The term 'koshi koden' was proposed by Kiyohiko AGO in his book "Kojiki izen no sho (documents before Kojiki)" (published by Tairiku Shobo, 1972) and, at this stage reference was made to 'koten sisho (four classics),' 'koden sansho (three legends)' and 'koshi sansho (three ancient historical documents).'
「古史古伝」という言い方は、吾郷清彦が著書『古事記以前の書』（大陸書房、1972年）で最初に提唱したもので、この段階では「古典四書」「古伝三書」「古史三書」とされていた。