The various roles played by shinshoku during Shinto rituals are classified into two categories: saishu, who preside over rituals, and saiin, who assist the saishu by carrying ceremonial objects or passing tamagushi (branches from sacred trees) to the saishu by hand.
神事において神職の役割は、その祭を主宰する斎主と、祭具を運んだり玉串を手渡したりといった補佐的な役割をする祭員に分けられる。