Japan: 'Dancing with Pandas?' Shinto priest dons animal masks to attract worshippers

'Panda' Shinto priest Miwako Kojima is hoping to attract new worshippers to her Aruka shrine by performing traditional dances in animal masks.
On a visit to the shrine in Ebina on Thursday, she revealed the secrets to her recruitment drive.
"I would like to familiarise the shrine to local people and worshipers," said Kojima, who has become famous online for dancing to ancient Shinto music in a panda mask.
She went on to explain that dancing to sacred music is a centuries-old tradition in Japan called 'Kagura' which serves for the entertainment of God.
Kojima, the daughter of the shrine's high priest, hopes her digital performances will bring viewers closer to God.
Given her popularity on Twitter, Kojima's 21st-century missionary techniques may have brought the faithful flooding back to Aruka.