The current widely-accepted theory is that rapid increase of farmland development (konden) by millionaires and dominant temples and shrines that became active due to enforcement of Konden Einen Shizai Law (the Law permitting permanent ownership of newly cultivated land) was the origin of formation of the plan of jori.
現在の有力な説は、墾田永年私財法の施行で盛んとなった富豪や有力寺社による農地開発（墾田）の急増が条里プラン成立の起源であるというものである。