Kannushi

Izanagi's Emissaries

Kannushi are shrine priests of Izanagi, God of the Sun. They maintain shrines around the Abral Islands and lead rites and ceremonies in and around the shrines.

Divine Master

There are two main duties that a kannushi must perform: the first is to keep their shrines clean and ready to receive guests and Izanagi himself, while the second is to aid in prayers and ceremonies within the shrine. Some people do not like praying on their own, and ask the kannushi to assist or pray on their behalf.

Izanagi by Jarhed

It is said that the kannushi channels the will of Izanagi when he himself is not present in the shrine. Some kannushi have made a name for themselves in history due to this, particularly during the period of Warring States. While kannushi do wear traditional outfits, there is no religious significance to them, and they are simply traditional Kamejin and Tainuki vestments.

Ranks and Hierarchy

There are official ranks held by kannushi, with a hierarchy dividing them based on levels of education and experience. These ranks are:

Jōkai

Meikai

Seikai

Gonsekai

Chokkai

Narayama

All kannushi are trained in Narayama, a city-sized shrine hybrid that is the center of Izanagi's faith. This is also the home and training ground for all monks of Izanagi, and one of the largest cities in the Abral Islands. If a kannushi is not in their shrine, one of the only places they are likely to be is Narayama, as it is a place some travel to if they wish to catch up with old friends, learn new practices, or relearn things they may have forgotten.

Kannushi Outside the Abrals

Most kannushi maintain shrines in the Abral Islands, but there are shrines to Izanagi elsewhere, particularly in the Kingdom of Man. These kannushi (called Geltic Kannushi because they upkeep shrines in the Geltic lands) are still sent over from the Abrals, though there aren't many of them and they often have to take a great deal of time assimilating to Geltic culture. If it is not a Kamejin or Tainuki, it is still someone who trained in Narayama to become a kannushi. Kannushi elsewhere, such as in Orcish shrines to Izanagi, are not sent from Narayama, but are instead appointed by Orcs with no formal training.

There are very few Jōkai, and they serve the largest shrine of each island, overseeing other shrines and visiting Narayama as an ambassador for their island's shrines for yearly meetings. Meikai are the heads of these larger shrines, while Seikai are assistants to Meikai. Standard shrines are maintained primarily by Gonsekai, who are the equivalent of Meikai in the smaller shrines, and Chokkai are assistants to Gonsekai.

Related Professions

Kannushi should not be confused with monks, who reside in the city of Narayama where kannushi are trained. Monks are the leading practitioners of Izanagi worship and determine doctrine throughout the world. Monks also travel throughout the world spreading word of Izanagi, whereas the kannushi remain in their designated shrines and travel locally if at all. Another related profession is that of the miko, an exclusively female role that assist the kannushi in all shrine duties. Despite what some believe, women can also become kannushi, but men cannot be mikos.

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Kannushi

Izanagi's Emissaries

Divine Master

Ranks and Hierarchy

Narayama

Kannushi Outside the Abrals

Related Professions

Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2025

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