also: うまやづかい · はゆまづかい
noun
ritsuryō official authorized to use government stables and horses
Archaic historical term from the ritsuryō period; refers to a specific official role with travel privileges.
律令制下では、駅使は公用の駅馬を利用できた。
Under the ritsuryō system, an ekishi could use the government post horses.
Compound of 駅 (station, post) and 使 (messenger, envoy). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with the ritsuryō administrative system.