巫女
also: ふじょ
Meanings
1
shrine maiden; miko
A young woman, traditionally unmarried, who assists in Shinto shrine rituals and ceremonies. The term is culturally specific and often left as 'miko' in English.
A shrine maiden is performing a purification ritual at the shrine.
She worked part-time as a miko during the New Year.
2
Only when written 巫女
Historical or folkloric sense: a woman who acts as a spiritual medium or shaman. Restricted to the 巫女 spelling; also written simply as 巫.
Ancient miko served as mediums to convey the words of the gods.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が巫女になるto become a shrine maiden
After graduating from university, she became a shrine maiden.
- 〈人〉が巫女を務めるto serve in the role of shrine maiden
She served as the shrine maiden during the festival.
- 巫女装束を身につけるto put on the traditional shrine maiden costume
She wore the white-and-red shrine maiden costume and performed a sacred dance.