The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early
Heian period. In 965,
Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to the guardian
kami of Japan. These
heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines including the Niukawakami Shrine. From 1871 through 1946, the Nibukawakami Jinja was officially designated one of the , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines. == Composition ==