神主
Meanings
1
Refers to a Shinto priest, often the chief priest of a shrine. Sense 2 emphasizes the head priest role, but in many contexts 神主 simply means a Shinto priest.
I had a Shinto priest perform a purification ritual at the shrine.
The chief priest of that shrine is very kind.
2
Buddhist monk jargon; a pun on 禰宜 (ねぎ, a Shinto priest rank) and 葱 (ねぎ, Welsh onion). Not used in standard Japanese.
Among Buddhist monks, '神主' can be a jargon term for Welsh onion.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が神主になるfor someone to become a Shinto priest
He took over the shrine and became a Shinto priest.
- 神主が祝詞を上げるfor a Shinto priest to recite a ritual prayer
The priest recited a prayer and the ceremony began.