神主

• 読み: かんぬし
• ローマ字: kannushi
• 漢字の分解: 神 (kan/kami) — god, spirit, divine; 主 (nushi) — master, owner, chief
• 発音: /kaɴ.nɯ.ɕi/

意味

Shinto priest. A clergy member who serves at and manages a Shinto shrine.

A noun for a priest who performs rituals and ceremonies at a Shinto shrine (神社, jinja). The kanji literally mean 'master of the gods.' Traditionally a hereditary role passed down within families, though modern 神主 undergo formal training and certification. Not to be confused with Buddhist priests (僧侶, souryo, or 住職, juushoku). Also called 神官 (shinkan) in more formal or historical contexts. Female Shinto priests exist but are less common.

例文

1. 神主が祝詞を唱えて祭りが始まった。
2. その神社の神主は代々同じ家系が務めている。
3. 友人は神主になるために専門の学校に通った。

使い方ガイド

場面: Shinto, shrines, religion

トーン: respectful

起源と歴史

From Japanese: 神 (kami/kan, god/spirit) + 主 (nushi, master/owner). Literally 'master of the gods' — the person responsible for serving and communicating with the kami at a shrine.

文化的背景

時代: Ancient

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal