noun
senior priest (Shinto)
In modern Shinto, a priest ranking below the chief priest (宮司) and associate chief priest (権宮司).
彼は地元の神社で禰宜を務めている。
He serves as a senior priest at the local shrine.
noun
Historical term for a priest rank under the old system, below chief priest and above junior priest.
江戸時代の神社では、禰宜は神主の下で重要な役割を果たした。
In Edo-period shrines, the negi played an important role under the kannushi.
noun
Rare alternative name for grasshopper or locust; not the standard modern term.
See also: バッタ
古い文献では、バッタのことを禰宜と呼ぶことがある。
In old texts, grasshoppers are sometimes called negi.
The origin of the word is uncertain. The kanji 禰 and 宜 are used phonetically, and the term has been used in Shinto contexts since ancient times.