Virginity was considered a state of purity, and, as such, it was believed to connect the sublunary world to the realm of the divine.
Thus, special religious roles were often reserved for young virgins. The priestess of the sun goddess Amaterasu, for example, was chosen from among the virgin princesses of the imperial family.
Shinto temples, to this day, continue to draw young virgin girls known as "miko" into service.
