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gūji
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gūji

Shintō priest
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Quick Summary

The gūji is the chief priest in the Shintō religion of Japan. The primary role of a shinshoku (priest) is to conduct shrine ceremonies on behalf of worshippers, ensuring a good relationship between the kami (deities) and people through offerings and blessings. While the gūji is the highest rank, larger shrines may also have associate chief priests (gon-gūji) and other priests (negi and gon-negi). At the Grand Shrine of Ise, the supreme priestess (saishu) ranks even higher than the supreme priest (dai-gūji). Priests can marry, and women can also be ordained.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. shinshoku
  2. Ise Shrine

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