Archaic noun for a request or invitation; not used in modern everyday speech.
legal privilege for high-ranking nobles (ritsuryō system)
Historical legal term from the ritsuryō system; a privilege granted to nobles of the fifth rank or above in criminal proceedings.
In old documents, one can find examples where 請 is read as しょう and used to mean a request.
Under the ritsuryō system, nobles of the fifth rank and above were granted the privilege of 請.
humbly inviting
praying for rain
written vow; oath; pledge
The character 請 means 'request' or 'invite'. The reading しょう is the on'yomi. The word is archaic and not used in modern Japanese outside historical references.