Miko

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A shrine maiden in Japan who assists with religious rituals and ceremonies at Shinto temples
2. A female priestess in Shintoism who partakes in spiritual tasks and aids in the conduct of rituals at sacred sites
3. An individual in Japan who serves as a mediator between deities and worshippers through various ceremonial practices

Etymology: In Japanese, "巫女" (miko) is written with two characters: "巫" (fu or kanname, a shaman or spiritual medium) and "女" (onna, woman). Together they name the young women who serve at Shinto shrines, performing ritual dances, assisting with ceremonies, and tending to the shrine's daily needs. The word is therefore literally a "shrine maiden," and the role has long been associated with women, though the Japanese term itself is a compound rather than a title with a separate origin story. English borrowed the word directly from Japanese, so it retains the sense of a Shinto attendant rather than a general religious figure. Its use in English is tied to the role as it exists in Japanese religious life, which is why it is typically left untranslated in writing about Japan. The word's meaning has stayed close to its Japanese source, with the English usage tracking the Japanese one closely.