It is believed that kelp was brought into Kyoto by the Hosokawa family of Minamoto clan, which was included among Sankanrei (three families in the post of kanrei, or shogunal deputy), using vessels of Suigun (warriors battle in the sea) which had been pirates.
三管領の一家に数えられた源氏の細川氏が、元海賊であった水軍の舟で京都に持ち込んだとされる。