Emperor Kōnin
The "Shoku Nihongi" of 797 places the origins of the temple in Hōki 11 (780), while the of 1139 ascribes it to the vows of Emperor Kōnin and Emperor Kammu and names its founder as , younger brother of Emperor Shōmu. The of 1441 dates its foundation instead to 776. Excavated Nara-period tiles corroborate an eighth-century foundation date. Like other major temples of the period, Akishino-dera had two pagodas, as well as a Kondō. According to the "Legends", a fire in June 1135 destroyed most of the temple. Two hundred and fifty-five ofuda, dating from 1327 to 1524, cast light on later years.