beggars at the Ise Grand Shrine
Historical term for beggars who gathered at the Ise Grand Shrine, often seen as part of the pilgrimage culture.
In the Edo period, beggars at the Ise Grand Shrine received alms from pilgrims.
stingy Ise merchants
Archaic derogatory term for successful but miserly merchants from Ise, used as an insult.
That stingy Ise merchant, he has money but won't part with a single coin.
Compound of 伊勢 (Ise, referring to the Ise Grand Shrine or Ise Province) and 乞食 (beggar). The derogatory sense likely arose from stereotypes about Ise merchants.