Onshi were divided into groups of several people, were scattered around the country, and made a living by receiving rice harvested in the year as hatsuho ryo (ceremony fee) in return for distributing calendars and praying for a good harvest in rural areas.
御師は数名ずつのグループに分かれて各地に散らばり、農村部でカレンダーを配ったり、豊作祈願を行ったりして、その年に収穫された米を初穂料として受け取る事で生計を立てていた。