Shie indicates the clerical garment or surplice robe worn by Buddhist priests that were worn by monks and nuns of high virtue regardless of their religious branch and had been traditionally presented by the Imperial Court.
紫衣とは、紫色の法衣や袈裟（けさ）をいい、古くから宗派を問わず高徳の僧・尼が朝廷から賜った。