奉ほう幣へい使し

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.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だいには、奉ほう幣へい使しが伊い勢せ神じん宮ぐうに派は遣けんされた。

  In the Heian period, imperial messengers were dispatched to Ise Shrine.

• 奉ほう幣へい使しは朝ちょう廷ていから神じん社じゃへの重じゅう要ような使し者しゃだった。

  The hōheishi was an important envoy from the imperial court to shrines.