《明史·志·卷五十》
司宾掌管外国朝贡的使节，辨明他的等级而教导他们拜跪的仪节。
司宾，典外国朝贡之使，辨其等而教其拜跪仪节。
The Department of Guests was in charge of foreign envoys who came to pay tribute, determining their rank and teaching them the ceremonies of obeisance.