Although the origin of Uneme is unknown, "Nihonshoki" (Chronicles of Japan) describes that it was a custom of powerful regional clans to present their daughters to the Imperial family as early as the Asuka period.
発祥ははっきりしないが、『日本書紀』によると既に飛鳥時代には地方の豪族がその娘を天皇家に献上する習慣があった。