In Shinto, what is the Japanese term for a shrine priest?

In Shinto, the Japanese term for a shrine priest is kannushi.

A kannushi is responsible for carrying out rituals and maintaining the relationship between a shrine, its kami, and the worshippers who visit. Duties can include preparing offerings, conducting ceremonies, reciting norito prayers, and overseeing shrine observances.

The word kannushi is often translated as “god master” or “master of the kami,” although English translations vary. In contemporary Japan, shrine administration is frequently organized through established religious institutions, and priests may serve at more than one shrine during their careers.

Kannushi are sometimes confused with miko, the women traditionally associated with shrine service. Miko may assist with rituals, dances, ceremonies, and shrine duties, but miko and kannushi are distinct terms. A shrine’s staff can include both. The clothing and ritual roles of priests also differ from those of Buddhist clergy, even though Japan’s religious history has included long periods of interaction between Shinto and Buddhism.