Genshisai originated from chinsai (religious ceremony to appease the gods) which was performed at Hasshinden (eight shrines) of the governor of Jingikan (department of worship) on February 3, 1870 for appeasing Hasshin (the god), Tenjin chigi (the gods of heaven and earth), and imperial ancestors.
元始祭は、明治3年（1870年）1月3日(旧暦)、神祇官八神殿に八神・天神地祇・歴代の皇霊を鎮祭したのに始まる。