Because the imperial agistment sites were required in four provinces (Shinano, Kai, Musashi and Kozuke), the plots of grazing land were dispersed and, according to ancient laws and political guidelines the ceremonies took place in an eight day timeframe in August.
勅旨牧は信濃国・甲斐国・武蔵国・上野国の4国に及んだため、牧単位で分散して行われ、『延喜式』・『政事要略』によれば、8月のうちから8日間に分けて儀式が開かれた。