1.
shrine maiden, miko
A young woman who serves at a Shinto shrine. Traditionally performs ceremonial dances, assists with rituals, and handles shrine administrative tasks. Recognizable by their white top and red hakama.
巫女が舞を奉納する。
The shrine maiden performs a ceremonial dance.
お正月には巫女がお守りを売っている。
At New Year's, shrine maidens sell protective charms.
彼女は大学生の頃、地元の神社で巫女のアルバイトをしていた。
When she was a university student, she worked part-time as a shrine maiden at a local shrine.
USAGE:
巫女 serve at Shinto shrines and are recognizable by their traditional outfit of a 白衣 (white robe top) and 緋袴 (scarlet hakama trousers). Their duties include performing 神楽 (sacred dances), assisting the 神主 (priest) during rituals, and selling 御守 (protective charms) and 御札 (talismans). Many modern 巫女 are part-time workers, especially during busy periods like 初詣 (first shrine visit of the year).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 巫女装束: shrine maiden outfit
- 巫女舞: shrine maiden dance
- 巫女のアルバイト: part-time shrine maiden work