Translation guide
A person who expels evil spirits or demons. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific religious roles, primarily in Buddhism and Shinto, as well as a general term for exorcist. The most common and recommended term is 祓い師 (harai-shi), a Shinto purification specialist.
exorcist (general)
Referring to a person who performs exorcisms in a general sense, without specifying religious tradition.
A general term for an exorcist, often associated with Shinto purification rituals. Can be used broadly.
He is a famous exorcist.
Literally 'prayer master,' this term refers to a person who performs incantations and prayers to ward off evil, often in folk religion contexts.
The village exorcist drove away the evil spirit.
Loanword from English, used specifically for Christian exorcists or in fictional contexts (e.g., the movie 'The Exorcist'). Not commonly used for traditional Japanese practices.
The exorcist in that movie was a Catholic priest.
Specifically a Buddhist monk or practitioner who performs exorcisms using sutras and rituals.
A practitioner of Shugendo, a syncretic mountain ascetic tradition that includes exorcism. Often depicted with distinctive attire and supernatural powers.
The shugenja performed a ritual to exorcise the demon.
A Buddhist monk or priest, sometimes involved in exorcism rites. Can be used historically or in traditional settings.
A Shinto priest or practitioner who performs purification rituals (harai) to remove impurities and evil influences.
A Shinto priest who conducts various rituals, including exorcism-like purifications. Not exclusively an exorcist, but commonly performs such duties.
The Shinto priest performed a purification for me.
A senior Shinto priest, often assisting the head priest. May perform exorcisms in larger shrines.
A person in folk religion who communicates with spirits and performs exorcisms, often in rural or traditional contexts.
A shrine maiden or female shaman who serves as a medium and performs rituals. In some contexts, she may exorcise spirits.
The miko exorcised the fox possession.
A blind female shaman from northern Japan, known for channeling spirits and performing exorcisms.
祓い師 (harai-shi) emphasizes purification and is strongly associated with Shinto. 祈祷師 (kitō-shi) focuses on incantations and prayers, often in folk religion. Use 祓い師 for a general exorcist, and 祈祷師 when the method involves chanting or spells.
The English word 'exorcist' often carries Christian connotations. In Japanese, the concept is deeply rooted in Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Using エクソシスト may sound foreign or refer specifically to Western exorcism. For traditional Japanese contexts, use native terms.
The exorcist performed a ritual to cleanse the house.
In the movie, the exorcist faced a powerful demon.
A renowned priest offered prayers to dispel evil spirits.
The negi conducted a special purification ritual.
The itako summoned and drove out the evil spirit.