Miko
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80)
Tue 2008/01/22 07:27
Miko [巫女[みこ]] are young female attendants who can be found at Shinto shrines performing ceremonies and other odd jobs such as staffing the shrine shop.
At the beginning of the year, selected girls from all over Japan got to become a Yuki Musume [幸娘] or "Fortune Girl" where they performed a spiritual cleansing ceremony at Keta Taisha shrine in the Ishikawa Prefecture.
At the beginning of the year, selected girls from all over Japan got to become a Yuki Musume [幸娘] or "Fortune Girl" where they performed a spiritual cleansing ceremony at Keta Taisha shrine in the Ishikawa Prefecture.
Member Ellcy90 was kind enough to provide some pics of the ceremony.
I have a bit of a fetish for Miko - love the flowing red dress and their white shirts. They look so...innocent and pure ^^;
Interestingly enough, many moons ago (and possibly at some present day shrines), Miko were required to be virgins - according to Wikipedia.
I have a bit of a fetish for Miko - love the flowing red dress and their white shirts. They look so...innocent and pure ^^;
Interestingly enough, many moons ago (and possibly at some present day shrines), Miko were required to be virgins - according to Wikipedia.
"Miko" is translated into English as a "Shrine Maiden." Other terms such as prophet, medium, priestess, nun and even witch or sorceress is used - Wikipedia. Nun is probably the closest out of the bunch.
The last time I went to a shrine I didn't see any Miko and was rather disappointed ^^;
A place where you can be guaranteed to see Miko is at Meiji Jingu in Harajuku.
A place where you can be guaranteed to see Miko is at Meiji Jingu in Harajuku.
Back to the ceremony. The Miko line up and get ready for their chanting sessions.
The ceremony was covered by quite a few media. I can see this ceremony gathering more and more interest with otaku ^^;
The Miko then start to do their chanting.
I notice that Ellcy90 took quite a few shots of the miko on the far left ^^;
After chanting, the Miko then jog off to the nearby beach. They then chant "Essa, Essa" as they jog - extremely kawaii. You can see some video footage of this ceremony here which was taken a few years ago.
The gods welcome the Miko by conjuring up huge gusts of wind.
The boat you was on sinks after hitting an endangered whale and you are bobbing up n down in the ocean.
You see a maid and a Miko calling to you for help who are also in the water. They both look sweet and gorgeous with big anime eyes.
But alas, you can only rescue either one and swim with her to the nearby deserted island. Who do you choose to rescue?
You see a maid and a Miko calling to you for help who are also in the water. They both look sweet and gorgeous with big anime eyes.
But alas, you can only rescue either one and swim with her to the nearby deserted island. Who do you choose to rescue?
And this is where the ceremony took place - although I guess you are not interested any more after the Miko pics ^^;
And this is an unfinished illustration of Miko Mirai. More unfinished illustrations of Mirai-chan on her page.
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Tue 01/15 02:15 comments (147)
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Mon 01/14 01:12 comments (50)
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Oh well.. Real Miko aren't as moe as their animated counterparts.. so sad. ToT
(ID #70322) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:07
is the President of Planet Tits; however, he's exploring the Earth by being a high schooler.
*cough* 3D... *cough*
(ID #598791) Posted on 2009/05/10 10:52
Pretty cool stuff, now that I think about it this must be the first time I've actually seen a picture of a real miko, as I never thought to look for some before.
(ID #70323) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:11
Ay~ The birthday suit figure at the end ruined the moment for me. T_T I was thinking innocence and purity when KA-BAM! Gazongas in my face! And this image would've made such a nice wallpaper had it been larger. http://www.dannychoo.com/slide/eng/miko/17956/photo/Miko/
(ID #70324) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:14
Procrastinator Extraordinaire
Am I the only one who thinks that having a miko fetish is the same as having a nun fetish? Though the miko fetish feels a little less damning. count me in on the miko fascination.
(ID #70325) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:16
Hotdog Repairman
Choose the maid of course. So thankful I saved her I'd have a cute maido under my service for life. What would I get from a Miko? Endless chanting? Drive me nutty.
(ID #70326) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:22
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Ellcy90 has good tastes I see, I think I've fallen for that Miko too... Miko or maid?! Danny, you're evil how do I choose?!
(ID #70327) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:23
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Nice... probably a very interesting event to watch. Doesn't look very open to the public though.. or the camera guy did a nice job not showing the crowd. :P Anyways, it's not that I don't like mikos... but when you say maid, I remember Kare ga Watashi no Goshujin-sama... and mikos... I don't remember watching stuff with mikos, apart from some Inu-Yasha episodes (miko clothings at least). :P There must've been some others, but playing secondary roles. Anyways, they are really cute, and the ceremony looks like something I'd enjoy watching. I love the japanese culture as something different than the whole anime/manga stuff. It's like Japan have two (or more) complete distinct worlds... the old and cultural one impresses me more than the modern one, though I like both.
(ID #70329) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:27
Software Engineer
What a spectacular site that is, great photos indeed. I had wondered how those girls ended up in that position at the Shrines.
(ID #70330) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:30
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
i'd rescue the miko. at least if i die halfway someone can do my last rites.
(ID #70331) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:37
I'd choose a miko over a maid any day of the week. Sorry, I'm not into maids at all. Simple personal preferences.
(ID #70332) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:54
Neko Miko Reimu~ aishiteru Neko Miko Reimu~ nani shiteru? I'd probably pick Miko... tough choice though '-'
(ID #70334) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:12
Engineer by weekdays, Hikki by weekends
What, no love for maids? ;__; (refering to the poll) Nice coverage there. Oh, I'd save both, no matter what the rules says :D
(ID #70335) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:15
uh, danny, is there anyway to make sketches image bigger? sketches in mirai page can't be enlarge, how can i make it as big as this post?
(ID #70336) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:17
I first learned of the existence of Mikos from playing Watashini Konya Ainikite 2 ._.
(ID #70337) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:18
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
The Miko-chan at Meiji Jingu usually won't allow you to take their pictures I think...or so I remember when my friends from Singapore tried...haha.
(ID #70338) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:25
daaaaaamn, all these girls...and i'm not even withing arms distance. i REALLY need to get my ass to japan now. alas, the $$ has eluded me! curse you expenses!!! curse you!!! anyways, those mikos are cuuuuute. but I wonder if they're old enough...>.>
(ID #70339) Posted on 2008/01/22 08:49
Designer, Cosplayer, Dreamer
But of course id save the maid!!!! a gratefull maid can do so many nice things for her master. With a miku is harder, and since you lready said both are cute with big eyes... yup, maid for me.
(ID #70340) Posted on 2008/01/22 09:08
High School Graduate... Now what?
You present a hard choice to save. At least both maids and mikos know how to clean and be useful around the house. Though, I always thought that mikos were the equivalent to nuns. Well, at least they could do things to your luck. Now if maids and mikos could fly and throw barrages of knives and paper, I believe that's a different story.
(ID #70341) Posted on 2008/01/22 09:33
After watching Nobuta wo Produce, I really liked the miko attire. Maids will take a second place to miko.
(ID #70342) Posted on 2008/01/22 09:49
Naru Eternal
MIKO DAISUKI! ...Too bad my miko fetish is only for 2D women. XD
(ID #70343) Posted on 2008/01/22 10:13
I've been in love with miko ever since Sailor Mars :D
(ID #70344) Posted on 2008/01/22 10:20
University Student.
Miko Mirai looks really cute too!! Ahhhh the choices between Miko and Maid to save, too tough! But in the end I think I'll go for the Maid. The outfit from "He is my Master aka Kore ga Watashi no Goshuujin-sama" just keeps coming to my mind whenever I hear/read the word "Maid", too cute!! But if given the chance I'll try to save both, maybe toss a oxygen tank to the miko while I save the maid, then after strap on my diving equipment and save the miko. Gotta get them all!
(ID #70345) Posted on 2008/01/22 10:23
I'm an idiot so I would probably still try to rescue both, but when it comes to preferences I prefer mikos over maids. These clothes are just too damn cute. :) In fact, the miko costumes were the only reason for me to watch all Kannazuki no Miko episodes. ^^''
(ID #70347) Posted on 2008/01/22 10:40
Online Shop
Doh, should of went to Meiji Jingu last time I visited Harajuku, I did not know you can see one there... I've spent two New Year's in Japan for past 2 years and it's a shame that I did not get to see any Mikos... I always go to Winter Comiket and is usually super tired on New Year's Day that I do not want to go to crowded place like shrines on New Year's Day where so many people will be at -_-
(ID #70348) Posted on 2008/01/22 10:54
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sephiroth00/phortsyan/1190581497141.jpg Miko are one of my fetishes but i see that there are little cute 3D mikos there lolz i like Ellcy09 has a nice choice on that miko ^___^
(ID #70349) Posted on 2008/01/22 11:44
oh dear, that's a tough decision to make. i guess i would save the miko...come on, who says no to virgins?
(ID #70350) Posted on 2008/01/22 11:52
Miko~ Miko!~ but, I think more for 2D..
(ID #70352) Posted on 2008/01/22 12:44
Service desk support
Nobody mention miko miko nurse yet? Good stuff!!! still, I have to go against the grain and say that I prefer maids. For shame on everyone who would wish to dirty the miko maidens!! damaging the goods, etc...
(ID #70353) Posted on 2008/01/22 13:06
oh thats what those 2 sisters in lucky star are
(ID #70356) Posted on 2008/01/22 13:33
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
i'll love to see a miko mirai in colours. ^^;
regarding the question of who to save. er... i can't swim, can either the maid or miko rescue me instead? ('~')
(ID #70357) Posted on 2008/01/22 13:40
Administrative Assistant
I'd have to go with Miko. If only to score brownie points in the afterlife.
(ID #70364) Posted on 2008/01/22 16:31
Japanese Student
Astounding Photos of Miko... I'd never gotten the chance of taking a photo of one.
(ID #70365) Posted on 2008/01/22 16:33
gah danny, why do you have to make me make such a hard decision. i already have enough thinking done at work..now miko or maid? well i guess after all the pictures, miko is the way to go. well agreed with you about how pure and serene they look. its always nice to be able to rescue some maiden. thanks for the coverage. never get bored reading your site
(ID #70366) Posted on 2008/01/22 16:35
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
Aha, now I know who they are, but I had a hunch. Last time I was in Japan, I went to Nikko and there were some there, and indeed, mostly in the shrine shops ^^; These picture were taken at Nikko: http://blog.jpopdb.org/media/IMG_4130.JPG http://blog.jpopdb.org/media/IMG_4137.JPG
(ID #70367) Posted on 2008/01/22 17:39
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
i would rescue the Miko first. Holy people always comes first. BTW are Mikos very widespread in Japan? because i didnt come into contact with many of them the last time i visited japan.(maybe because i visited Buddhist temples instead of Shinto ones)
(ID #70383) Posted on 2008/01/23 01:19
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:54)
a tough choice, save the pious virgin or the dutiful servant. normally I'd try to save both, but given the choice of only saving one, I'd have to agree with qingy, who can say no to virgins. ^^ btw would anyone happen to know what that arrow thing on Mirai's hand is called, I tried buying one on Meiji Jingu once, the Miko attendant there told me that those were only for kids. ^^;
(ID #70384) Posted on 2008/01/23 02:36
onehp (Registered on 2007/12/09 06:35)
Nice drawing of Miko Mirai
(ID #70385) Posted on 2008/01/23 02:36
closet hikikomori
Actually what is the ceremony about? I'm getting curious. LOL The Mikos somehow remind me of Kikyou from Innuyash.. and that Essa Essa chant rings a bell. I think they alwasy chant that during some festival especially when carrying a mikoshi.
(ID #70398) Posted on 2008/01/23 03:53
Plast Processing Engineer
UAAA!! Miko-Mirai!! Kawaii!! Desperately need to finish that drawing danny!
(ID #70411) Posted on 2008/01/23 05:09
Student
The Maid can only serve me and call me master while the Miko can serve me AND kick the ass of any evil spirit that tries to mess me with. So my vote is with the Miko but I don't really have a fetish or anything for them.
(ID #70412) Posted on 2008/01/23 05:24
Yeah... Miko today are not strictly virgins. Sorry to burst bubbles. Miko or maids... I would probably save the Miko, as any proper maid would know how to swim anyway... right? I would save the Miko without hesitation if she wore glasses.
(ID #70416) Posted on 2008/01/23 05:54
I cant belive people are so easily swayed by this article! Maids for sure!
(ID #70425) Posted on 2008/01/23 07:25
Miko can be cute, but Maids are the standard for world-wide moé for a reason. Nothing really beats a cute maidgirl IMO.
(ID #70442) Posted on 2008/01/23 14:02
Do they all buy their clothes at the same shop or something?
(ID #70457) Posted on 2008/01/23 18:15
don, it's what is called a "ceremonial dress" but hey. XD
(ID #70463) Posted on 2008/01/23 19:28
.NET/Web Developer
I've always wondered what they're called. I've always loved they're red and white uniform. Like you said, they're so pure and innocent in them. XD Very cute.
(ID #70464) Posted on 2008/01/23 19:38
Visual Communications and Web 2.0
looks like a great ceremony and they all look great in. I just love how Japanese have so many interesting traditions and ceremonies. hehehe ^^ Mirai looks great in this outfit. Look forward to full color complete design.
(ID #70480) Posted on 2008/01/24 02:41
That makes two of us, Lostandfound... Ellcy90, good job on taking these photos, and good eyes on picking 'that' Miko. She's so cute >_
(ID #70529) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:15
Composer-DJ-Sound Design.作曲家
Miko is not bad on the eyes. (real eyes)
(ID #70624) Posted on 2008/01/25 05:06
i'll definitely pick the MIKO...one of the reason would definitely be because they're virgin (if that true)..besides they're like divine people with connection to god..may be their prayers will be heard more than a maid...then we would be rescued...hahaha...
(ID #70629) Posted on 2008/01/25 05:54
Miko look soo pure and they make me remember of Kikyo from Inu-Yasha, this is the 1st time i've ever seen this kind of ritual, LOVE IT!!
(ID #70685) Posted on 2008/01/25 18:45
The Miko, she is just more pure... I really like the dress either!
(ID #70819) Posted on 2008/01/27 18:06
Miko... They look so kawaii
(ID #70906) Posted on 2008/01/28 21:15
HappyCat in somewhere in Asia near the mountains and a hydroelectric dam (Registered on 2008/04/03 04:20)
freelancer,freeloader,noh drama and enka fanatic
Me thinks Ellcy90 got a crush on that Miko(blush).
(ID #178587) Posted on 2008/05/01 04:11
Mikos are the equivalent of western nuns. I seriously can't believe some guys get off at that stuff. But although it makes me very queasy, those miko outfits are very pretty, so to each their own.
(ID #294632) Posted on 2008/09/08 16:46
Miko > maid
(ID #434231) Posted on 2009/01/03 22:16
Webdev, internet contents, music
Miko FTW!
(ID #434235) Posted on 2009/01/03 22:17
Only one of them looked appealing to me, but I'd rather rescue a Miko anyway.
(ID #434256) Posted on 2009/01/03 22:29
Oh god Miko Mirai please XD >I have a bit of a fetish for Miko - love the flowing red dress and their white shirts. They look so...innocent and pure ^^; Its amazing how one can sometimes find people who have exact same thoughts.. And um, since its an deserted island, I choose maid (survival wise).
(ID #434260) Posted on 2009/01/03 22:33
former Emperor of Britannia
Another poll i can't answer... XD Too confused... Anyways this topic reminded me of one of the famous Miko's in the otaku community. Hakurei Reimu of Touhou.
(ID #434283) Posted on 2009/01/03 22:56
There are only 2 choices, but i want to save them both. Or maybe I should call the emergency team first, I can't swim unfortunately.
(ID #434324) Posted on 2009/01/04 00:01
heh..some of them look gorgeous :P but regardless, it is interesting to know more what a miko does in a ceremony. nice article!
(ID #434343) Posted on 2009/01/04 00:22
very cute miko! and recently i have the lucky too see a real miko in the temple i went today,and there had a lot of kawaii mikos!!!(o^v^o)
(ID #434396) Posted on 2009/01/04 01:05
Nice review, nice pics ;)
(ID #434444) Posted on 2009/01/04 02:27
Student
I love the miko outfit so my vote goes for Miko ^^.
(ID #434480) Posted on 2009/01/04 03:03
Student
Do Miko's have bow and arrow? I like archery. LOL
(ID #434537) Posted on 2009/01/04 03:58
wow it's a really nice outfit red and white absolutely superb and very stylish aside from being a kimono, does it have a specific name ? i don't like the yellow bathrobe the girl is wearing on top of it in the next pictures
(ID #434580) Posted on 2009/01/04 05:03
Really depends on how they look, but I think a maid would be more useful. I remember seeing a real miko when I went to Japan. There was a wedding ceremony I think.
(ID #434583) Posted on 2009/01/04 05:07
how often can we see this kind of scenes ? it's really worth a picture to be put in a frame in my next apartment, i will decorate it with nice pictures of Japan...
(ID #434585) Posted on 2009/01/04 05:10
A religion has never been so atractive! :3~~
(ID #434617) Posted on 2009/01/04 06:16
Massive exorcism?
(ID #434683) Posted on 2009/01/04 07:38
Software Quality Engineer
I didn't know anything about Miko until watching Inuyasha several years ago. I am surprised that so many of us DC-folks have never seen Miko! If you go to a Shinto shrine, it's almost impossible to NOT see them-- just go to the Omikuji window or to the shop; they should be there. Of course there are many buddhist temples in Japan, too; and you wouldn't find them there, of course. When I got married, Miko helped the priest and performed many of the ceremony rituals, including playing music and dancing! It was beautiful.
(ID #434792) Posted on 2009/01/04 10:06
Uwa~! Oh and I'll save both! XD
(ID #434915) Posted on 2009/01/04 12:41
This might site weird but ugh I dont like either >> somthing about girls wearing those kind of clothes doesnt appeal to me =/
(ID #434948) Posted on 2009/01/04 12:57
Wibbling+Writing+Teaching
Lovely photos... And I think I'd rescue the maid. Surely the gods would not let a Miko drown!
(ID #440500) Posted on 2009/01/09 00:02
Student
So hard to choose >< but i think i would save the miko
(ID #531025) Posted on 2009/03/23 10:07
Student~
Choose Miko, since Reimu is a miko~
(ID #572396) Posted on 2009/04/21 06:06
I'd die with both of them in my arms. Then again they might just save each other and leave my otaku ass to drown...
(ID #599052) Posted on 2009/05/10 15:18
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
Beautiful.
(ID #600124) Posted on 2009/05/11 12:42
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