In addition, licensed quarters and prostitutes were originally related to Shinto purification and exorcism rites, as can be discerned from the existence of 'watari miko' (shrine maidens who were also prostitutes and who traveled around performing purification rites at festivals).
また遊郭や遊女は古くは禊（みそぎ）や祓い（はらい）と言った神事でもあり、それは「渡り巫女」などの存在からも窺い知ることが出来る。