Voice-hearer - Shomonji

Japanese: 声聞師 - しょうもんじ

In the Middle Ages, they were looked down upon as entertainers, but they descended from low-ranking onmyoji who belonged to the Onmyoji Bureau of the Ministry of Central Affairs, and were also written as "Shomonshi" because they stood at the gates of houses and recited prayers for good luck. They were considered to be of low rank along with the Sanshomin and Kawaramono of the Middle Ages, and were the originators of the so-called "gate-attached" performers. They formed a troupe, and in addition to the original divination (bokusen), they also performed sutra readings and Kuzemai (Kyumai) (a dance performed by dancing).

Source: Obunsha Japanese History Dictionary, Third Edition About Obunsha Japanese History Dictionary, Third Edition

Japanese:

中世，賤視された芸能民
もと中務省 (なかつかさしよう) の陰陽 (おんみよう) 寮に属した下級陰陽師の系譜をひき，家々の門に立って寿詞を唱えたことより「唱門師」とも書く。中世の散所民・河原者とともに賤民とされ，いわゆる門付の元祖。座を結成し，本来の卜占 (ぼくせん) のほか経読み・久世舞（曲舞）なども行った。

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