[I]n antiquity, the (officers in charge of the) people and the (officers in charge of the) spirits were not intermingled (i.e., were not mixed up). There were those among the people whose spiritual vigor was undiverted and who were also able to act in reverence and rectitude; their intelligence could conform to what is right in the upper and lower realms, their sagacity could blaze afar and display what is bright, their clear vision could illuminate it, their astute hearing could provide thorough understanding of it. Thus, the spirits (ming shen 明神) descended to them. In the case of men, (these special people) were called Xi 覡; in the case of women, they were called Wu 巫. Thus, one employed them to give order to the position and precedence of the spirits and to prepare their sacrificial victims, the ritual vessels, and the ceremonial garments of the seasons.
[noun](archaic) a medium or shaman, usually female, who acts as a medium between humans and the spirits or gods, helping to communicate between the two and to calm any supernatural or spiritual upset
(This term, 覡, is an alternative spelling of the above term.)
[noun](archaic, possibly obsolete) a medium or shaman, usually female, who acts as a medium between humans and the spirits or gods, helping to communicate between the two and to calm any supernatural or spiritual upset
(This term, 覡, is an alternative spelling of the above term.)
[noun] An unmarried woman who serves at a Shintōshrine, helping to receive visitors and performing 神楽(kagura) dances at ceremonies, among other responsibilities. A shrinemaid.