noun
Historical term for a person permitted to enter the imperial court in the Heian period and later. Refers specifically to those of the fifth rank or above who had access to the emperor's residence.
殿上人は、清涼殿の殿上間に昇ることが許された貴族である。
A tenjōbito was a noble permitted to ascend to the tenjō-no-ma room of the Seiryōden.
He was granted the fifth rank and formally became a courtier.