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日本語/Japanese  Tue 01/22 06:15 JST
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.
Miko (click to enlarge)
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.
Miko (click to enlarge)
"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.
Miko (click to enlarge)
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.
Miko (click to enlarge)
Back to the ceremony. The Miko line up and get ready for their chanting sessions.
Miko (click to enlarge)
The ceremony was covered by quite a few media. I can see this ceremony gathering more and more interest with otaku ^^;
Miko (click to enlarge)
The Miko then start to do their chanting.
Miko (click to enlarge)
I notice that Ellcy90 took quite a few shots of the miko on the far left ^^;
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
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.
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
The gods welcome the Miko by conjuring up huge gusts of wind.
Miko (click to enlarge)
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?
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
Miko (click to enlarge)
And this is where the ceremony took place - although I guess you are not interested any more after the Miko pics ^^;
Miko (click to enlarge)
And this is an unfinished illustration of Miko Mirai. More unfinished illustrations of Mirai-chan on her page.
Miko (click to enlarge)
And this is what a Miko looks like in her birthday suit - full review here.

Thanks again to Ellcy90 where you can see more pics from this ceremony at his site.
Miko (click to enlarge)
Polls
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
Oh well.. 

Real Miko aren't as moe as their animated counterparts.. so sad. ToT
(ID #70322) Posted on 2008/01/22 05:55
BandAiD in 米国
C. Engineering Student
Registered on 2008/01/08 08:52
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 05:59
umbrae in California
Studen
Registered on 2007/10/19 09:27
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 06:02
necrophadian in a van down by the river
Stigmata Martyr
Registered on 2007/04/22 12:13
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 06:04
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
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 06:10
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
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 06:11
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
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 06:15
Neil Duckett in Yoyogi, Tokyo
Software Engineer
Registered on 2007/11/06 13:37
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 06:18
radical anime fan in Dai-Singapore-dan. Hotter than Kamina and Lelouch combined.
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20
i'd rescue the miko. at least if i die halfway someone can do my last rites.
(ID #70331) Posted on 2008/01/22 06:25
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
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 06:42
Phenie in South Africa
Catgirl Trainer.
Registered on 2007/01/08 15:26
Neko Miko Reimu~ aishiteru
Neko Miko Reimu~ nani shiteru?

I'd probably pick Miko... tough choice though '-'
(ID #70334) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:00
e-jump in Malaysia
Test Engineer
Registered on 2007/12/22 21:34
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 07:03
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
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 07:05
Shin in Port Swettenham
Aspiring Trap
Registered on 2007/10/20 23:04
I first learned of the existence of Mikos from playing Watashini Konya Ainikite 2 ._.
(ID #70337) Posted on 2008/01/22 07:06
blauereiter in Tokyo, Japan
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
Registered on 2007/07/07 22:02
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 07:13
YoShI in Calgary, Canada
Stealthy Ninja, Life support.
Registered on 2008/01/15 12:41
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 07:37
Erzengel in Monterrey, Mexico
Designer, Cosplayer, Dreamer
Registered on 2007/12/09 18:06
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 07:56
djet0 in Not so Sunnyvale, Teh Golden State
High School Graduate... Now what?
Registered on 2007/01/08 20:06
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 08:21
tetrflare in Singapore
Spellcaster
Registered on 2007/11/24 18:34
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 08:37
Hemisphere in Ar tonelico
Naru Eternal
Registered on 2007/08/29 18:00
MIKO DAISUKI!

...Too bad my miko fetish is only for 2D women. XD
(ID #70343) Posted on 2008/01/22 09:01
fifaifo in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/12/25 14:07
I've been in love with miko ever since Sailor Mars :D
(ID #70344) Posted on 2008/01/22 09:08
Hirito in The Little Red Dot - Singapore
ORD!! Now awaiting Uni admission.
Registered on 2007/09/01 18:24
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 09:11
Fabian in Germany
student
Registered on 2008/01/09 00:24
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 09:28
Akiba-Kid in California, USA
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:35
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 09:42
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
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 10:32
qingy in center of the galaxy
SMS
Registered on 2007/10/06 05:09
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 10:40
andra in Singapore
Secondary Student~
Registered on 2007/11/06 14:19
Miko~ Miko!~

but, I think more for 2D..
(ID #70352) Posted on 2008/01/22 11:32
GundamJehutyKai in Foundation II Stellvia
IT Client Support
Registered on 2007/09/12 21:33
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 11:54
Gorm in London
Student
Registered on 2007/11/06 10:16
oh thats what those 2 sisters in lucky star are
(ID #70356) Posted on 2008/01/22 12:21
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
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 12:28
bob-san in Madison WI
Administrative Assistant
Registered on 2007/02/22 23:27
I'd have to go with Miko.  If only to score brownie points in the afterlife.
(ID #70364) Posted on 2008/01/22 15:19
Ninja Mari in Japan
Japanese Student
Registered on 2007/11/06 11:10
Astounding Photos of Miko... I'd never gotten the chance of taking a photo of one.

(ID #70365) Posted on 2008/01/22 15:21
ornehx in Penang, Malaysia
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
Registered on 2007/12/25 23:02
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 15:23
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:14
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 16:27
Setsuna-san in Selangor, Malaysia
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Registered on 2007/07/06 10:07
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 00:07
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
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 01:24
Registered on 2007/12/09 05:23
Nice drawing of Miko Mirai
(ID #70385) Posted on 2008/01/23 01:24
shiva diva in シンガポール
closet hikikomori
Registered on 2007/10/25 10:45
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 02:41
Jesper in Viborg, Denmark, Europe, Earth
Plast Processing Engineer
Registered on 2007/07/16 23:56
UAAA!! Miko-Mirai!! Kawaii!! Desperately need to finish that drawing danny!
(ID #70411) Posted on 2008/01/23 03:57
Hatori in Florida,USA
Student
Registered on 2007/08/20 14:54
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 04:12
narutard in Edmonton, Alberta
Freelance Fangirl
Registered on 2007/08/14 16:49
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 04:42
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
I cant belive people are so easily swayed by this article! Maids for sure!
(ID #70425) Posted on 2008/01/23 06:13
shippoyasha in NYC
NEET
Registered on 2007/06/10 15:34
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 12:50
don in Minnesota USA
Engineering Student
Registered on 2007/10/23 00:10
Do they all buy their clothes at the same shop or something?
(ID #70457) Posted on 2008/01/23 17:03
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
don, it's what is called a "ceremonial dress" but hey. XD
(ID #70463) Posted on 2008/01/23 18:16
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
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 18:26
Boris in USA
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
Registered on 2006/12/26 00:12
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 01:29
daijin-kun in Between Asleep and Awake
PROUD OWNER OF A CANDY GIRL!!!
Registered on 2008/01/21 22:28
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 11:03
Marcus Tyr in LA, California
Composer-DJ-Sound Design.作曲家
Registered on 2007/01/15 09:58
Miko is not bad on the eyes. (real eyes)
(ID #70624) Posted on 2008/01/25 03:54
Izam215 in Putrajaya, Malaysia
Govt. Officer
Registered on 2007/09/12 14:28
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 04:42
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
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 17:33