Miko (巫女, literally "shaman woman", also translated as "shrine maiden") are young women who work at Shinto shrines. The role of miko was originally to go into trances and convey oracles from kami (神, "spirits") trough dancing and other shamanistic practices. Nowadays, being a miko is just another kind of day job for girls, as they are only required to help around the shrine, assist in functions and sell omikuji.
This miko was playing a gong in the prayer hall of a shrine, and she can be seen wearing the traditional attire: red hakama (袴, large pleated trousers) and white haori (羽織, kimono jacket). The bow in her hair is made of rice straw, a material which is particularly important in Shinto rituals and imagery.
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