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