Ise envoy - Ise messenger

Japanese: 伊勢使 - いせのつかい

An Imperial envoy sent from the Imperial Court to Ise Grand Shrine. It refers to the Ise Reihei-shi, who are sent to offer offerings at the Kanname Festival of Ise Grand Shrine, as well as special messengers sent to deliver offerings. Reihei-shi were selected by divination from among kings of the fifth rank or higher, and accompanied by the Nakatomi, Inbe, and Urabe ranks of the Jingikan (shrine officials), who were called the Shisho Heishi. The ceremony of sending out the Heishi was considered an important ceremony even within the Imperial Court, and the ceremony of the Emperor's personal presence was held until the end of the Heian period. Reihei-shi left the capital on September 11 of the lunar calendar every year, and performed the Kanname Festival at the Geku and Naiku from the evening of the 15th to the 17th, returning to the capital on the 20th to report back.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

朝廷から伊勢神宮に遣わされる勅使のこと。伊勢神宮の神嘗（かんなめ）祭にあたり幣帛供進のため遣わされる伊勢例幣使のほか，臨時に遣わされる奉幣の使をもいう。例幣使は五位以上の諸王の中から占いをもって選ばれ，これに神祇官の中臣（なかとみ），忌部（いんべ），卜部（うらべ）が従い，これを四姓幣使と称した。幣使発遣の儀は宮中でも重要な儀式とされ，平安末期まで天皇親臨の儀が行われた。例幣使は毎年旧暦の9月11日に都を出発し，15日夕刻から17日まで，外宮･内宮の神嘗祭を執行，20日に帰京して復命した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Ise school - Iseha

>>: Daisuke Ise - Taifu of Ise