Under the shinto shrine system of the Meiji period, reisai, together with festivals such as the Kinensai festival (to pray for a good crop) and the Niiname-sai festival (ceremonial offering by the Emperor of newly-harvested rice to the deities), were designated 'taisai' (grand festivals).
明治の神社制度においては、例祭は祈年祭・新嘗祭などとともに「大祭（たいさい）」に定められていた。