巫 女(みこ)

みこ

noun

shrine maiden

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(みこ)が舞(まい)を奉納(ほうのう)する。

The shrine maiden performs a ceremonial dance.

お正月(しょうがつ)には巫女(みこ)がお守(まも)りを売(う)っている。

At New Year's, shrine maidens sell protective charms.

彼女(かのじょ)は大学生(だいがくせい)の頃(ころ)、地元(じもと)の神社(じんじゃ)で巫女(みこ)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(みこ) serve at Shinto shrines and are recognizable by their traditional outfit of a 白衣(はくい) (white robe top) and 緋袴(ひばかま) (scarlet hakama trousers). Their duties include performing 神楽(かぐら) (sacred dances), assisting the 神主(かんぬし) (priest) during rituals, and selling 御守(おまもり) (protective charms) and 御札(おふだ) (talismans). Many modern 巫女(みこ) are part-time workers, especially during busy periods like 初詣(はつもうで) (first shrine visit of the year).

Common collocations

巫女(みこ)装束(しょうぞく): shrine maiden outfit
巫女(みこ)舞(まい): shrine maiden dance
巫女(みこ)のアルバイト: part-time shrine maiden work

Related Words

Related: 神社(じんじゃ) (shrine)

Related: 神主(かんぬし) (shrine priest)

Related: 神道(しんとう) (Shinto)

Related: 禰宜(ねぎ) (senior Shinto priest)

general

Added 2026.2.21 15:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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