imperial equinoctial ancestor ceremony
A specific Shinto ceremony performed by the emperor at the shrine of imperial ancestors during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Now largely historical; the modern public holidays 春分の日 and 秋分の日 replaced the public observance.
The Kōreisai was one of the imperial court rituals formerly held during the spring and autumn equinoctial weeks.
Modern public holiday for the autumn equinox, which replaced the public observance of the autumn Kōreisai.
Compound of 皇 (kō, 'imperial'), 霊 (rei, 'spirit, soul'), and 祭 (sai, 'festival, ceremony'). The term refers specifically to the equinoctial rites for imperial ancestors.