On the other hand, according to the findings of some historical studies performed on Goshiki Fudo, it was not until the late Meiji Period or early Taisho era when the term "Goshiki Fudo" actually began to emerge, and hence it is difficult to consider that the Iemitsu TOKUGAWA legend concerning Goshiki Fudo being a historical fact which took place in the Edo Period; however, the basic gist of that Iemitsu tale was found in a gossip which has been around since those days.
一方で五色不動を歴史的に研究したいくつかの報告によると、実際に『五色不動』という名称が登場するのは明治末または大正始めであり、江戸時代の史実とは考えにくいとしているが、伝説自体は江戸時代から伝わる噂話に原型が見られるという。