During trades with Spain and Portugal, and Christian missionary work from the end of the 16th century through the beginning of the 17th century, ojiya was believed to have been introduced to the Kansai region and parts west by the Jesuits and to Edo by the Franciscan monks, respectively.
16世紀末期から17世紀初頭の南蛮貿易及びキリスト教布教活動の際、関西以西にイエズス会の修道士によって、また江戸にフランシスコ会の修道士によって伝わったとされる。