Domyoji Temple was established in 594 (the second year of the reign of Emperor Suiko) by Haji no Muraji Yashima as his clan temple. It is said that the principal image, the National Treasure Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva, was hand-carved by Sugawara no Michizane during his stay at the temple. In 901 (the first year of the Engi era), Michizane visited the temple upon his demotion to Dazaifu and bid farewell to his aunt, Kakujuni, who served as the temple's chief priest. This historical event is depicted in the Bunraku and Kabuki plays "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami." Domyoji flour, a famous ingredient in sakura mochi (cherry blossom rice cakes), originated after Michizane's demotion to Dazaifu, when Kakujuni dried and stored the leftovers from the daily offerings she made to the temple in order to share them with many people. After Michizane's death, the temple's name was changed to "Domyoji," after his pen name, "Domyo."