noun
A person who communicates with gods or spirits, often in a Shinto context. 巫 is traditionally female, 覡 male, but 巫 is the general term. Modern usage is mostly historical or religious.
古来、巫は神の言葉を伝える役割を担ってきた。
Since ancient times, mediums have played the role of conveying the words of the gods.
その神社では、今も巫が神事を行っている。
At that shrine, a shaman still performs Shinto rituals today.
巫女 specifically refers to a female shrine attendant or maiden, often young and serving at a Shinto shrine, while 巫 is a broader term for a medium or shaman regardless of age or specific role.
霊媒 is a more modern, general term for a spiritual medium, often used in contexts like séances, while 巫 carries a traditional, Shinto or folk-religion nuance.
The reading かんなぎ is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 神 (kami, 'god') and 和ぎ (nagi, 'calm') or 招ぎ (ogi, 'invite'), but the exact derivation is unclear. The kanji 巫 and 覡 are Chinese characters adopted for their meanings.