page_title: Miko
section_title: Physical description
hierarchical_section_title: Miko / Physical description
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Mikos im Meji-Schrein
context_page_description: In Shinto, a miko is a shrine maiden or a supplementary priestess. Miko were once likely seen as shamans but are understood in modern Japanese culture to be an institutionalized role in daily shrine life, trained to perform tasks, ranging from sacred cleansing to performing the sacred Kagura dance.
context_section_description: The traditional attire of a miko would be a pair of red hakama (緋袴 or "scarlet or vermilion, long, divided trousers or a long, slightly pleated skirt tied with a bow"), a white kosode (kimono robe), and some white or red hair ribbons. In Shintoism, the color white symbolizes purity. The garment put over the kosode during Kagura dances is called a chihaya (千早).
  Traditional Miko tools include the Azusa Yumi (梓弓 "catalpa bow"), the tamagushi (玉串 or "offertory sakaki-tree branches"), and the gehōbako (外法箱, a "supernatural box that contains dolls, animal and human skulls ... [and] Shinto prayer beads").
  The miko also use bells, drums, candles, Gohei, and bowls of rice in ceremonies.
caption: The miko's attire consists of a white kosode and red hakama. The hair is tied in a ponytail with a white and red hair ribbon.
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