The Engishiki specified imperial involvement with four festivals, the Kinen-sai, the two Ōharae-shikis and Niiname-no-Matsuri for tribute.

[1]: 36 In ancient times, people held domestic rites called Kinen-sai in the February or April and Niiname-sai in November.

During these rites, people worshiped their ancestors, the god of food, and the hearth deity.

[3] Since the Meiji era the date has been fixed on November 23,[3] which corresponds to the modern public holiday Labor Thanksgiving Day,[3] which was introduced in 1948.

[5] The first Niiname-sai following the accession of a new emperor is called the Daijō-sai (大嘗祭, also read Ōname-Matsuri and Ōnie-no-Matsuri).