A miko (巫女), or shrine maiden, [1][2] is a young priestess [3] who works at a Shinto shrine. Miko were once likely seen as shamans, [4] but are understood in modern Japanese culture to be an institutionalized [5] role in daily life, trained to perform tasks ranging from sacred cleansing [4] to performing the sacred Kagura dance. [6]

Around Japanese Shinto shrines, it is not uncommon to discover the silhouette of a young girl busy with maintenance tasks. The Miko, their name, are an integral part of the Japanese ancestral cult and one of the emblems of the Shinto religion.

Mar 23, 2015 · The Miko Queen Queen Himiko was a practicing shaman who ruled much of Japan from the year 189 to 248. She is widely considered the first ruler of Japan who can be …

Jun 14, 2024 · In the enchanting world of Japanese Shinto tradition, miko shrine maidens stand as iconic figures, bridging the gap between the earthly and divine realms. These young women, adorned in their distinctive red and white attire, have played a significant role in Japanese spirituality for centuries.

Dec 22, 2016 · A Miko is a shrine maiden or a supplementary priestess trained to perform sacred tasks in Japan. Miko are Japanese female shamans who have long been involved in religious duties at shrines traditionally serving as spiritual mediums, ritual dancers and …

May 14, 2020 · Miko is the term for the young women wearing red and white that serve the Shinto deities by working at shrines across Japan. Learn the origins of the miko role, their appearance and apparel, and how one becomes a miko.

Oct 2, 2024 · The term “Miko” refers to a Shinto priestess in Japan, a figure steeped in rich historical and spiritual significance. Traditionally, Miko have played a crucial role in Shinto practices, serving as intermediaries between the divine and the human realms.

Jun 30, 2022 · In modern Japan, a miko is a woman who works at a shrine, mainly as an assistant to the Shinto priest, and performs Shinto rituals such as Kagura (Shinto music and dance) and Mai (dance).

Feb 22, 2022 · In Japanese, Miko is usually written with the characters “middle” and “female” as 巫女. However, it can also be referred to as 神子 written with the characters for “god” and “child”. Miko wear a white robe known as a hakui with a red hakama known as a hibakama .

Wandering Miko Aruki Miko (歩き巫女) are a historical variety of miko, or Shinto priestesses, from Japan. Wandering miko are characterised by their lack of allegiance to any particular shrine or temple, instead performing their religious duties in various locations over time.