As the relationship with Silla became strained during the Nara period, Hachimanshin (God of War) was transferred from Usa to Kyoto and, as demonstrated by the case in which the deity appeared to WAKE no Kiyomaro as an oracle, belief in Hachiman suddenly increased.
奈良時代、新羅との関係が緊張すると、宇佐から八幡神が上京し、和気清麻呂の託宣でも知られるように、にわかにその信仰が高まった。