View source for Kannushi

{{Expand Japanese|神職|date=January 2024|topic=cult}}
{{Short description|Shinto shrine attendant}}
{{redirect|Shinshoku|the [[L'Arc-en-Ciel]] song|Shinshoku (Lose Control)}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Shinto}}
A {{nihongo3|"divine [[Master of ceremonies|master (of ceremonies)]]"|[[wiktionary:神主|神主]]|'''kannushi'''|originally pronounced {{transl|ja|kamunushi}}}}, also called {{nihongo3|meaning "employee/worker of kami"|神職|'''shinshoku'''}}, is a person responsible for the maintenance of a {{nihongo|[[Shinto]] [[shinto shrine|shrine]]|神社|jinja}} as well as for leading worship of a given {{transl|ja|[[kami]]}}.<ref name="IK">* ''Kannushi'' (in Japanese), Iwanami {{nihongo|[[Kōjien]]|広辞苑}} Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version</ref> The characters for {{transl|ja|kannushi}} are sometimes also read as '''{{transl|ja|jinshu}}''' with the same meaning.
== History ==
Originally, the {{transl|ja|kannushi}} were intermediaries between {{transl|ja|kami}} and people and could transmit their will to common humans.<ref name="eos"/> A {{transl|ja|kannushi}} was a man capable of miracles or a holy man who, because of his practice of [[Harae|purificatory rites]], was able to work as a medium for a {{transl|ja|kami}}. Later the term evolved to being synonymous with {{transl|ja|shinshoku}} - a man who works at a shrine and holds religious ceremonies there.<ref name="IK"/><ref name="ya">
{{cite web |last = Moriyasu |first = Jin |title = Kannushi |language = ja |work = Nihon Hyakka Zensho |publisher = Shogakukan |url = http://100.yahoo.co.jp/detail/%E7%A5%9E%E4%B8%BB/ |access-date = 2009-10-16 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121209091437/http://100.yahoo.co.jp/detail/%E7%A5%9E%E4%B8%BB/ |archive-date = 2012-12-09 }}</ref>
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.<ref name="ya"/> Later, the role evolved into a separate and more specialized form. The term appears in both the {{transl|ja|[[Kojiki]]}} (680 AD) and {{transl|ja|[[Nihon Shoki]]}} (720 AD),<ref name="ya"/> where the [[Empress Jingū]] and [[Emperor Sujin]] respectively become {{transl|ja|kannushi}}.<ref name="eos">
{{cite encyclopedia | title= Kannushi | last= Nishimuta | first= Takao | date= 2007-03-28 | encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of Shinto | publisher= Kokugakuin | url= http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=1285 | access-date= 2009-10-16}}</ref>
== Description ==
Within the same shrine, such as at [[Ise Jingū]] or [[Ōmiwa Shrine]], there can be different types of {{transl|ja|kannushi}} at the same time; these may be called, for example, {{nihongo||大神主|Ō-kannushi}}, {{nihongo||総神主|Sō-kannushi}}, or {{nihongo||権神主|Gon-kannushi}}.<ref name="eos"/><ref name="ya"/> {{transl|ja|Kannushi}} are assisted in their religious or clerical work by women called {{transl|ja|[[miko]]}}.
{{transl|ja|Kannushi}} can marry, and their children usually inherit their position.<ref name="nishi">
{{cite book | last= Nishimura | first= Hajime | title= A Comparative History of Ideas | publisher= Motilal Banarsidass | year= 1998 | isbn= 978-81-208-1004-4}}</ref> Although this hereditary status is no longer legally granted, it continues in practice.<ref name="EB">
{{cite web| title= Shinshoku | publisher= Encyclopædia Britannica Online | url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/540847/shinshoku | access-date= 2009-10-16}}
</ref>
=== Vestments and ritual objects ===
The clothes {{transl|ja|kannushi}} wear, such as the {{transl|ja|[[jōe]]}}, the {{transl|ja|eboshi}} and {{transl|ja|kariginu}}, do not have any special religious significance, but are simply official garments previously used by the Imperial court.<ref name="nishi"/> This detail reveals the close connection between {{transl|ja|kami}} worship and the figure of the Emperor.<ref name="nishi"/> Other implements used by {{transl|ja|kannushi}} include a baton called {{transl|ja|[[Hu (ritual baton)|shaku]]}} and a wand decorated with white paper streamers ({{transl|ja|[[shide (Shinto)|shide]]}}) called {{transl|ja|[[ōnusa]]}}.
{{gallery
|File:Kannushi and miko at the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo.jpg|A {{transl|ja|kannushi}} wearing a {{transl|ja|[[jōe]]}} being accompanied by two {{transl|ja|[[miko]]}}
|File:Shinto priest in full dress,kannushi,katori-jingu-shrine,katori-city,japan.JPG|A {{transl|ja|kannushi}} in full dress, [[Katori Shrine]]
|File:Kannushi Kamakura.jpg|A {{transl|ja|kannushi}} wearing a {{transl|ja|kariginu}} and an {{transl|ja|eboshi}} hat
}}
== Education ==
To become a {{transl|ja|kannushi}}, a [[novice]] must study at a university approved by the {{Nihongo|[[Association of Shinto Shrines]]|神社本庁|Jinja Honchō}}, typically [[Tokyo]]'s [[Kokugakuin University]] or [[Ise, Mie|Ise]]'s [[Kogakkan University]], or pass an exam that will certify his qualification.<ref name="EB"/> [[Women in Japan|Women]] can also become {{transl|ja|kannushi}}, and widows can succeed their husbands in their job.<ref name="EB"/>
== Onshi ==
An Onshi or Oshi (御師) is a lower level Shinto priest analogous to a [[deacon]] or an [[acolyte]]. They are considered between a layperson and clergy.
== See also ==
* {{transl|ja|[[Miko]]}}
* {{transl|ja|[[Norito]]}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons category|Kannushi|lcfirst=yes}}
* [http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=1285 Kannushi], Encyclopedia of Shinto
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Kannushi| ]]
[[Category:Religious occupations]]
[[Category:Shinto]]
[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]]