During the Edo period, Utaizome (first-song performance of the year), which was performed in Edo-jo Castle on the night of January 2 (later January 3) by feudal lords, came to be called the Matsubayashi, and this custom supposedly spread among the merchants.
江戸時代になると、江戸城内に1月2日（のちには1月3日）の夜に大名らを集めておこなう謡初を松囃子と呼ぶようになり、町人にもこの慣わしが広まったとされる。