神主(かんぬし)

A Shinto priest who serves at a 神社(じんじゃ) (shrine), performing rituals, prayers, and ceremonies. This is the most common everyday term for a shrine priest.

Etymology

神(かん) (god/deity) + 主(ぬし) (master/owner). Literally "master of the gods" — the person responsible for serving the shrine's deity.

Common expressions

• 神主(かんぬし)に祝詞(のりと)をあげてもらう: have the priest recite prayers
• 神主(かんぬし)にお祓(はら)いをしてもらう: have the priest perform purification

Related words

• 宮司(ぐうじ): chief priest of a shrine (formal title used in shrine hierarchy)
• 神職(しんしょく): Shinto clergy (collective/formal term)
• 巫女(みこ): shrine maiden
• 住職(じゅうしょく): Buddhist temple priest (different religion)

神主(かんぬし) is casual/everyday; 宮司(ぐうじ) is the official title within the shrine ranking system.