Japanese Shinto Priest Explains His Religion in a Fun Way — An Interview With Soushi

Soushi describes himself as a pioneer among Shinto priests. During the day, he performs his duties at 17 different shrines. At night, he becomes the “Singing Shinto Priest,” a pop musician whose mission is to make basic Shinto principles more accessible to the public.

According to Soushi, although the Japanese often go to shrines, most of them do not know very well what Shinto is about. Alternately using humor, emotion, and poetry, the young priest is determined to make the essence of Shinto understandable to all audiences.

In his first interview for an English-language media, Soushi opens up about his role as a Shinto priest, the world of the Japanese deities, his music, and the balance between his religious duties and his private life.

The Duties of a Shinto Priest

At night, you become the “Singing Shinto Priest,” but during the day, you are a regular kannushi [Shinto priest]. What exactly is a kannushi in Shinto religion?

We, kannushi, are also called “shinshoku” [a word which means “working for the kami”]. We are in a position between the people who pray and the kami [Japanese deity]. So basically, our role is to transmit the feelings of the people who make a wish to the kami…