miko

Miko are shrine maidens in Shinto shrines (not the same rank as priests, closer to altar boys). They sweep the shrine, do ceremonial dances, perform music, flank the priest at prayers, freshen the offerings, operate the fortune telling lottery (omikuji), sell votive tablets (ema), and in most modern shrines run the knickknack and good luck charms shop. Historically, they used to be mediums and oracles, alongside the male Geki. They are often depicted wielding gohei.

This tag is for pictures where at least one character is wearing the traditional outfit of a miko: a hakama skirt (almost always entirely red) and white kosode.

Conversely, do not use this tag if the character in question is employed as a shrine maiden but does not wear the traditional outfit of a miko described above. Tag them as nontraditional miko instead. Hakurei Reimu and Yae Miko are prominent examples of this.

See also

• Hamaya (ceremonial arrow)
• Ofuda (Shinto talisman/charm)
• Shimenawa (Shinto braided rice rope)
• Chihaya
• Nontraditional miko
• Kagura suzu

The following tags are aliased to this tag: shrine_maiden (learn more).

This tag implicates japanese_clothes (learn more).