In ancient times there was a rise in the belief that departed souls of those deposed politically or defeated in war would bring calamity upon their opponents or enemies, giving birth to goryo shinko during the Heian period.
古代になると、政治的に失脚した者や、戦乱での敗北者などの霊が、その相手や敵に災いをもたらすという考え方から、平安期に御霊信仰というものが現れるようになる。