There used to be a community near Zenkoji Temple where people who were forced out of their home village were able to gather in peace. This included people who were of low-class status or were infected with a grave illness that got them expelled from their village. They each thought they would be accepted and healed by the inclusive Zenkoji.
These small gatherings of people naturally turned into a makeshift village as people started to settle down there. Jobs were created and taxes were paid; One such job was handling the funerals of Zenkoji visitors who died on their journey.
Another job was handling the lights around the main hall of Zenkoji, especially during the Obon festival. They would light the fire and guide visitors and the spirits of their ancestors alike. People who didn't have anywhere to go found their place at Zenkoji.