Kannushi

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A kannushi (神主, "divine master (of ceremonies)", originally pronounced kamunushi), also called shinshoku (神職, meaning "employee/worker of kami"), is a person responsible for the maintenance of a Shinto shrine (神社, jinja) as well as for leading worship of a given kami.^[1] The characters for kannushi are sometimes also read as jinshu with the same meaning.

History[edit]

Originally, the kannushi were intermediaries between kami and people and could transmit their will to common humans.^[2] A kannushi 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 kami. Later the term evolved to being synonymous with shinshoku - a man who works at a shrine and holds religious ceremonies there.^[1][3]

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.^[3] Later, the role evolved into a separate and more specialized form. The term appears in both the Kojiki (680 AD) and Nihon Shoki (720 AD),^[3] where the Empress Jingū and Emperor Sujin respectively become kannushi.^[2]

Description[edit]

Within the same shrine, such as at Ise Jingū or Ōmiwa Shrine, there can be different types of kannushi at the same time; these may be called, for example, Ō-kannushi (大神主), Sō-kannushi (総神主), or Gon-kannushi (権神主).^[2][3] Kannushi are assisted in their religious or clerical work by women called miko.

Kannushi can marry, and their children usually inherit their position.^[4] Although this hereditary status is no longer legally granted, it continues in practice.^[5]

Vestments and ritual objects[edit]

The clothes kannushi wear, such as the jōe, the eboshi and kariginu, do not have any special religious significance, but are simply official garments previously used by the Imperial court.^[4] This detail reveals the close connection between kami worship and the figure of the Emperor.^[4] Other implements used by kannushi include a baton called shaku and a wand decorated with white paper streamers (shide) called ōnusa.

Education[edit]

To become a kannushi, a novice must study at a university approved by the Association of Shinto Shrines (神社本庁, Jinja Honchō), typically Tokyo's Kokugakuin University or Ise's Kogakkan University, or pass an exam that will certify his qualification.^[5] Women can also become kannushi, and widows can succeed their husbands in their job.^[5]

Onshi[edit]

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[edit]

• Miko
• Norito

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to kannushi.

• Kannushi, Encyclopedia of Shinto