noun
Ise Shrine fraternal religious group
Historical term for a local mutual-aid and pilgrimage group formed by worshippers of Ise Shrine. Common in the Edo period.
江戸時代には、村ごとに伊勢講が組織され、代表者が伊勢神宮へ参拝した。
In the Edo period, Ise-kō groups were organized in each village, and representatives made pilgrimages to Ise Shrine.
Refers to the pilgrimage to Ise Shrine itself, while 伊勢講 is the organized group that facilitated such pilgrimages.
Compound of 伊勢 (Ise, referring to Ise Shrine) and 講 (kō, a religious or mutual-aid association). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is well-attested in Edo-period records.