Yoshimitsu modeled the garden for Sento-gosho (an imperial villa for retired emperors) and invited delegations from the Ming dynasty, and was honored by the visit of the emperor and he used the villa for official purposes.
義満はここを仙洞御所になぞられ、明の国史を迎えたり、天皇の行幸を仰ぐなどの公式の用に充てていたとされる。