On December 7, Shimogamo Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, held an orientation meeting for "Miko," or shrine maidens, who will temporarily serve at the shrine during New Year's holidays. Six foreign students from Italy, China, Taiwan and South Korea attended the meeting, and rehearsed how to wear "Hakama," a Japanese divided skirt, as well as learning wording and manners.

Shimogamo Shrine annually recruits 120 temporary Miko to help with the bestowal of good-luck charms or reception of visitors applying for New Year's blessings. Two years ago, a Chinese student, who wanted to become a Shinto priest, served as Miko, but this is the first time that the shrine has accepted more than one foreign student for the purpose of cross-cultural exchange.

This was the first of two orientation meetings, and 55 people attended. After the traditional Shinto ritual for purification in front of Mitarashi-no-ike Pond and offering prayers at "Honden," or the main shrine building, the participants went to "Kugosho," or place where divine offerings are prepared. There, the priest explained, "We do not sell, but rather endow good-luck charms." They also practiced how to give good-luck charms.

A foreign student residing in Sakyo Ward, who came from the graduate school at the University of Milan in Italy and now studies at Doshisha University, attended the orientation filled with tension. She said in fluent Japanese, "I was impressed when I wore Hakama. I would like to welcome visitors politely."