The thesis examines the transformation of the miko from their origins as shamanic mediators in ancient Japanese religion to their contemporary role as institutionalised shrine employees within modern Shinto. The term “shamanism” is used throughout as an analytical tool derived from Western academic discourse, rather than as a neutral universal category. Following Kehoe (2000), its application to the Japanese context requires critical awareness of the term’s historical and cultural specificity. Combining theoretical analysis and empirical research, the thesis traces how more than a millennium of political, legal and ideological change systematically diminished the miko’s shamanic authority while preserving the aesthetic and ritual forms associated with that authority. Special attention is given to kagura dance as the primary site where shamanic heritage survived in stylised form within contemporary shrine practice. Gender dynamics are examined throughout, drawing on feminist religious studies scholarship to analyse the historical limitations placed on women’s roles within institutionalised Shinto. The empirical section draws on written interviews with two currently active miko at Oiwa Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, analysed as a qualitative case study. The interviews confirm the theoretical framework while revealing dimensions not captured by the academic literature. The thesis concludes that contemporary miko no longer preserve shamanic power in its original sense but rather maintain an active role in executing the ritual traditions that have adapted and persisted despite centuries of institutional change.
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