The first kind of ko was operated by ujiko (shrine parishioners) who believed in regional deities such as ujigami (a guardian god or spirit of a particular place in the Shinto religion) and ubusunagami (guardian deity of one's birthplace) in order to maintain their shrine.
前者の講は、氏神・産土といった地域の神を信仰する氏子によって、その神祠の維持のために運営されるものである。