Kannushi And Miko At The Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

, also called , is the common term for a member of the clergy at a responsible for maintaining the shrine and leading worship of the there.* ''Kannushi'' (in Japanese), Iwanami Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version The characters for are sometimes also read as with the same meaning. ''Kannushi'' originally referred only to the highest-ranking member of the clergy at a shrine, but has since expanded to become a collective term for all members of the clergy, synonymous with ''shinshoku''.

Another office called used to exist, but the position was abolished during the removal of Shinto from government oversight during the establishment of the Japanese constitution.

History

Originally, the were intermediaries between and people and could transmit their will to common humans. A was a man capable of miracles or a holy man who, because of his practice of purificatory rites, was able to work as a medium for a .

In ancient times, because of the overlap of political and religious power within a clan, it was the head of the clan who led the clansmen during religious functions, or else it could be another official. Later, the role evolved into a separate and more specialized form. The term appears in both the (680 AD) and (720 AD), where the Empress Jingū and Emperor Sujin respectively become .

Description

Within the same shrine, such as at Ise Jingū or Ōmiwa Shrine, there can be different types of at the same time; these may be called, for example, , , or . are assisted in their religious or clerical work by women called .

can marry, and their children usually inherit their position.
Although this hereditary status is no longer legally granted, it continues in practice.

Vestments and ritual objects

The clothes wear, such as the , the and , do not have any special religious significance, but are simply official garments previously used by the Imperial court. This detail reveals the close connection between worship and the figure of the Emperor. Other implements used by include a baton called and a wand decorated with white paper streamers () called .

Education

To become a , a novice must study at a university approved by the , typically Tokyo's Kokugakuin University or Ise's Kogakkan University, or pass an exam that will certify his qualification. Women can also become , and widows can succeed their husbands in their job.

Hierarchy, rank, and status

Shinto clergy are given a and placed within a at their shrine which results in varying levels of relative status, though the relative importance of the shrine they work at has no affect on their status. For example, the head priest of a ''beppyo'' shrine is of equal status to a head priest of a small regional shrine. Additionally, rank and hierarchy are not the same, with hierarchy more important for determining status than rank. For example, a head priest of only ''seikai'' rank would be higher in status than an assistant priest of the ''meikai'' rank.

Ranks

The Association of Shinto Shrines has regulations that confer one of five ranks called on clergy members based on their level of education and passing of exams. Up to the second highest rank, , can be reached through study alone. The names of the ranks come from the four virtues of Shinto: , , , and . There were originally only four ranks until 1961 when the ranks were reformed and the fourth rank of was added.

: The highest rank. Given to those with a long history of contributions to Shinto research.

: The rank necessary to become a head priest or assistant head priest at a ''beppyo'' shrine. A clergy member with this rank can take a head priest position at any shrine other than Ise Shrine's high head priest position which requires imperial sanction.

: The rank necessary to become an assistant priest or at a ''beppyo'' shrine.

: The rank necessary to become a head priest or interim head priest at a standard shrine, or a junior priest at a ''beppyo'' shrine.

: The rank necessary to become an assistant priest or junior priest at a standard shrine.

Hierarchy

The clergy of a shrine is ranked in a hierarchy called . The exact hierarchy may vary based on the scale and history of the shrine but, in general, the hierarchy from highest ranking to lowest is , , and . There is generally only one head priest and one assistant priest per shrine. Some ''beppyo'' shrines have an role ranking below the head priest and several assistant priests. An overview of their roles is that the head priest is the head of the shrine, the assistant head priest is the secondary leader, the assistant priest(s) support the head priest in their duties, and the junior priests perform general tasks. Ise Shrine is an exception in that its ranks are as follows: , , , assistant priest (''negi)'', junior priest (''gonnegi)'', , , and .

Other positions

Onshi

is a low-ranking position at a shrine responsible for leading prayers for visitors, providing lodging and tours for pilgrims, and arranging performances of ''kagura''. They are most associated with Ise Shrine.

Lower priests

There are two positions that may be called lower priests, and , though they are not technically considered members of the clergy as they have not yet received their rank (''kaii'') and are only present in some special shrines, such as Ise Shrine and Atsuta Shrine. They perform some duties under the guidance of higher-ranking priests.

See also

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References

External links

Kannushi
Encyclopedia of Shinto

{{Authority control

Religious occupations
Shinto
Japanese words and phrases