1.
senior Shinto priest; shrine priest (second rank)
A Shinto priesthood rank, second in the hierarchy below the chief priest. Responsible for assisting in shrine rituals and administration.
禰宜が祝詞を奏上した。
The shrine priest recited a Shinto prayer.
彼は地元の神社で禰宜を務めている。
He serves as a senior priest at the local shrine.
禰宜は宮司を補佐し、日々の祭祀や神社の運営に携わる重要な役職だ。
The negi is an important position that assists the chief priest and is involved in daily rituals and shrine management.
An ancient Shinto term. The word originally comes from 労う (to console/comfort), reflecting the priest's role as an intermediary who comforts and serves the gods.
The Shinto priest hierarchy at most shrines is:
- 宮司: chief priest (head of the shrine)
- 禰宜: senior priest (second rank)
- 権禰宜: assistant priest (third rank)
Small shrines may have only a 宮司 and no 禰宜, while large shrines like Ise Jingu may have many priests at each level. The word is also a common Japanese surname.
Not to be confused with the homophone 葱 (green onion).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 禰宜を務める: to serve as a negi
- 権禰宜: assistant priest
- 禰宜の装束: priest's ceremonial garments
RELATED TERMS:
- 宮司: chief priest of a Shinto shrine
- 神主: Shinto priest (general term)
- 巫女: shrine maiden