斎さい宮ぐう

noun

unmarried imperial princess serving at Ise Grand Shrine; Saigū

Historical term for a princess who served as the Emperor's representative at the Ise Grand Shrine. She remained unmarried during her service.

• 斎さい宮ぐうは、天皇てんのうの代かわりに伊い勢せ神じん宮ぐうに仕つかえた未み婚こんの皇こう女じょである。

  The Saigū was an unmarried imperial princess who served at the Ise Grand Shrine in place of the Emperor.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だいには、斎さい宮ぐうが伊い勢せへ派は遣けんされる儀ぎ式しきが行おこなわれた。

  During the Heian period, a ceremony was held to send the Saigū to Ise.