Can tourists meet mikos (Japanese Shinto shrine priestesses)?
While browsing this article, I saw a photo of mikos, and I would like to see some in real life.
From Wikipedia:
A miko (巫女) is a Shinto term of Japan, indicating a shrine (jinja) maiden or a supplementary priestess who was once likely seen as a shaman but in modern Japanese culture is understood to be an institutionalized role in daily shrine life, trained to perform tasks, ranging from sacred cleansing to performing the Kagura, a sacred dance.
Miko at the Ikuta Shrine, by Flickr user MShades
I think I've been to a moderate number of shrines, but I don't think I've seen any mikos.
If possible, they would be wearing clothing that mikos usually or traditionally wear. If photography is allowed, and the mikos are comfortable with their photo being taken, then that would be an added bonus.
A place containing information about mikos would be an added advantage.
Anywhere in Japan (preferably not Yasukuni Shrine) or Australia is fine.
Best Answer
Less formally, mikos are simply employees of the shrine (it's a very popular baito option with college girls, since the pay is relatively good, the job is not tiring, and you get to wear a nice costume), when there is not a festival they perform various tasks around the shrine like cleaning or attending the souvenir shop. Just go to your local shrine, anywhere in Japan, and you will find them. Taking pictures is certainly OK, and they don't mind a little chat either if they are not too busy (and you can speak Japanese). I took this at the Hachiman-gu shrine in Morioka:
Pictures about "Can tourists meet mikos (Japanese Shinto shrine priestesses)?"
Can you visit Shinto shrines?
How to Visit a Shinto Shrine in Japan. The act of visiting a shrine is called sanpai in Japanese. In Japan, be it the city or the countryside, you will find various Shinto shrines of all sizes. Needless to say, anybody can enter the shrine grounds and pay their respects, regardless of the religious belief they may hold ...What do people do when they visit the Shinto shrine?
A general rule of thumb when going to a shrine to worship: bow twice, clap twice, bow once.- Throw your money in the offering box.
- Bow deeply twice.
- After bowing, clap your hands twice. Should you want to pray, do so after clapping \u2013 and do it quietly. ...
- Bow deeply one more time once you're done praying.
Do shrine maidens go to school?
They will have received some training but do not take part in ceremonies. The third and final type are very young girls, often Elementary School age, who will perform miko mai at a village shrine's annual matsuri.What do shrine maidens do?
Miko, or shrine maiden, is the name of a type of priest working at a Japanese Shinto shrine. A miko typically refers to as young female priests. For centuries, miko have performed kagura (sacred dances for entertaining and satisfying the Shinto deities), conducted exorcisms, practiced divinations, acted oracles.[What is] What is shrine maiden? A former shrine maiden explains.
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Images: Stephan Streuders, Stephan Streuders, Mat Kedzia, Enric Cruz López