Drawings of Miko Shrine Maidens - Here to Cleanse the Soul

What’s red and white and pink all over? A shrine maiden covered in cherry blossom petals! If you’ve ever visited a Japanese shrine, you may have had the good fortune of catching a glimpse of a miko (巫女, lit. “shrine maiden”). Once seen as shamans, miko in modern Japanese culture undergo rigorous training to perform various duties at their shrines, ranging from sacred cleansings to the traditional Kagura dance. In contemporary anime, you might have seen miko offering omikuji fortune telling, selling souvenirs, or sweeping the shrine grounds. Their traditional red hakama and white kosode outfit certainly give them a pure and sacred impression, don’t you think?

Do you feel purified after seeing these maidens hard at work?