During the Muromachi period, Kengyo Kakuichi AKASHI compiled "Heike Monogatari" (The Tale of the Heike), and because he was from a family of the Ashikaga clan, he set up the Todo-za where he presided under the protection of the Muromachi bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by the shogun).
室町時代に検校明石覚一が『平家物語』をまとめ、また、足利氏の一門であったために室町幕府から庇護を受け、当道座を開き、検校は当道座のトップを務めた。