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Concept
Kannushi
Summary
A "Divine Master (of ceremonies)", also called meaning "god's employee", is a person responsible for the maintenance of a Shinto shrine as well as for leading worship of a given . The characters for are sometimes also read as with the same meaning.
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 . Later the term evolved to being synonymous with - a man who works at a shrine and holds religious ceremonies there.
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 .
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, 大神主, 総神主, or 権神主. 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.
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 .
To become a , a novice must study at a university approved by the Association of Shinto Shrines, 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.
Official source
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