Miko
Titles & roles巫女 ・ Reading: みこ
Definition
A miko is a shrine maiden who assists with Shinto rituals and ceremonial dances at a shrine. They are recognisable by their white tops and red hakama trousers.
Who they are
A miko is a young woman who serves at a Shinto shrine, assisting the priests with rituals, ceremonial dances, and the day to day running of the grounds. In older times the role was tied to spirit mediumship, when miko were believed to convey the words of the kami. Today the work is mostly practical and ceremonial. You will often meet a miko at the shrine office, where she sells omamori charms and ema plaques, hands out omikuji fortunes, and inscribes goshuin.
What to look for
The classic outfit is easy to spot: a white top called a hakui, worn over bright red hakama trousers, usually with the hair tied back. During festivals and formal rites a miko may perform kagura, a sacred dance offered to the kami, sometimes holding bells or a sprig of sakaki. Do not confuse a miko with a priest. Priests, who may be men or women, lead the rituals and wear robes in a range of colours, while the miko assists and keeps to the familiar white and red. At larger shrines around New Year's, many miko are seasonal helpers taken on for the busiest days of the year.
Common questions
- What is a miko?
- What does a miko wear?
A miko wears a white kimono top with a red hakama, a long divided skirt reaching the ankles. This white and red combination is the traditional dress that makes a miko easy to spot among shrine staff.
- Are miko nuns or priests?
A miko is neither a nun nor a priest. In most shrines today the role is a working position, often filled by students or young women part time, especially over the busy New Year's period, rather than a lifelong religious vocation.