In 1871, the Ministry of Divinities set up the post of mikannagi (the post of a woman who administrated religious affairs) and designated it as the post of a woman who used to work for the Ministry of the Imperial Household as a toji (a role of taking care of the meals for the Imperial Family).
1871年（明治4年）には神祇省に御巫（みかんなぎ）が置かれ、宮内省の元刀自が御巫の職務に当たった。