巫女 【みこ】 (miko): a shrine maiden in shintoist temples, a sorceress, a shamaness. The second kanji 女is not read, but it means “woman”. The overall meaning is “shrine maiden, shamaness”.

I recently learned about the existence of this fascinating figure, the miko. Miko are the young women working in shintoist temples in Japan. In ages past they also had the role of shamanesses and prophetesses.

Thinking about it, I had already seen this figure in one famous anime, Your Name (kimi no na wa). In the movie, in fact, we see the main character, Mitsuha, performing ritual dances in a shrine with her sister, while wearing the traditional mikodress.

I found the miko fascinating. Think about it: in the morning you have these girls as your normal classmates, and at evening you see them at the temple, working in the shrine and performing ritual dances. Maybe for us westerners it just gives a weird and beautiful impression to see the sacred in everyday life, especially in young people.

Background Photo by Denise MetzonUnsplash

I love Tokyo.

Champagne while walking along the river and enjoying Sakura.

Vending machine

Fruit and veggie shop

Please check out blog www.capturejapan.com for more photos and articles about life in Japan

Arigatou!

Please check out blog www.capturejapan.com for more photos and articles about life in Japan

Rainbow Bridge at night

Please check out blog www.capturejapan.com for more photos and articles about life in Japan

Bon Odori festival in Machida

Please check out blog www.capturejapan.com for more photos and articles about life in Japan

Please check out blog www.capturejapan.com for more photos and articles about life in Japan

Not the usual kind of photo I post, but I love these sinks! Automatic water, soap, and drying all in one!

I don’t see them often, this one was in a hospital.

I don’t often edit photos, but I liked this one and wanted to fix it up.

Sakura covered street!

Yokohama

Cherry Blossoms on the river

Night cherry blossoms

Train crossing and pink house

                                               JPY      /    CAD

RENT:                                     ‎¥48,000 / $614

CELL:                                      ‎¥13000 / $166 (omg)

BILLS(water, power, gas) :     ‎¥10000 / $128

GYM:                                      ‎¥ 7000 / $90

GROCERIES:                          ‎¥ 20000 / $255

TRAINS:                                  ‎¥ 5000 / $64

ENTERTAINMENT:                 ‎¥ 30000 / $384 (its osaka guys)

LAUNDRY:                              ‎¥ 2000 / $25

*RESIDENCE TAX:                  ‎¥ 145800 / $1865 (as a canadian in her 3rd year in JP, to be paid once a year, or spread out in 4 payments)

*I live about 35 minutes from the city, about a 5 minute walk from the station

JLPT N3 Grammar - けど

Are you using it right??

Use this grammar point to instantly sound more native, and less robotic.

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Welcome to Benkyogo!

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- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar

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