With respect to the origin of okuribi, there are various theories whereby some argue that it started in the Heian Period, whereas, others argue that it started in the Edo Period, but there is no official record to substantiate the genesis of okuribi to date.
起源については、平安時代とも江戸時代とも言われているが、公式な記録に起源が一切伝わっておらず、諸説ある。