noun
imperial messenger to a shrine; envoy returning courtesies
Historical term for an imperial envoy sent to a shrine to present offerings (奉幣) or to return courtesies. Rare in modern usage; encountered mainly in historical or Shinto contexts.
平安時代には、奉幣使が伊勢神宮に派遣された。
In the Heian period, imperial messengers were dispatched to Ise Shrine.
奉幣使は朝廷から神社への重要な使者だった。
The hōheishi was an important envoy from the imperial court to shrines.
A broader term for an imperial envoy, not limited to shrine visits.
Compound of 奉 (ほう, 'to present respectfully'), 幣 (へい, 'offering, especially paper or cloth strips used in Shinto'), and 使 (し, 'messenger'). The term is historically associated with imperial court rituals.