Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines explained

The was an organizational aspect of the establishment of Japanese State Shinto. This system classified Shinto shrines as either official government shrines or "other" shrines. The official shrines were divided into

  1. Imperial shrines (kampeisha), which are parsed into minor, medium, or major sub-categories; and
  2. National shrines (kokuheisha), which are similarly categorized as minor, medium, or major.[1]

Some shrines are the "first shrines" called ichinomiya that have the highest rank in their respective provinces of Japan.

The Ise Grand Shrine stood at the top of all shrines and thus was outside the classification.[2] [3]

All listed shrines on this page with the exception of Ise Grand Shrine are Beppyo shrines.

History

On the fourteenth day of the fifth month of 1871, by decree of the Dajō-kan, the fundamental elements of the modern shrine system were established: a hierarchic ranking of Shinto shrines, with specification of the grades of priest who could officiate at the various levels of shrine.[4] These rankings were set aside in 1946, when such rankings were deemed "State Shinto" by the Occupation Shinto Directive. The Jinja Honcho currently has a slightly different List of Special Shrines (別表神社, beppyo jinja).

Ise Grand Shrine

Kashima Jingu and Katori Jingu were considered the two shrines directly below Ise Jingu.

Kan-sha

The or "official government shrines" had two subdivisions, Kanpei-sha or "government shrines" and Kokuhei-sha or "national shrines".[4]

For future tables, red cells denote shrines in the Japanese colonial empire.

Kanpei-sha

In 1871, the Japanese government established the Kanpei-sha (官幣社) system to classify Shinto shrines based on their level of association with the imperial family. The highest category included shrines that venerated the imperial family members, emperors, or meritorious retainers of the Imperial family. These shrines were considered to be the most closely associated with the imperial family and received government support.[1]

Imperial shrines, 1st rank

The Kanpei-taisha were the most highly ranked shrines in Japan that were officially designated by the government. There were 67 shrines that held this status, which were closely associated with the imperial family. These shrines were considered to be of great historical and cultural significance, and were often visited by members of the imperial family as well as the general public.[5]

namelocationCategorynotes
Katori jingu[6] Katori, ChibaMyojin Taisha, Chokusaisha
Kashima JingūKashima, IbarakiMyojin Taisha, Chokusaisha
Iwashimizu HachimangūYawataKokushi genzaisha, Chokusaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven; Homuda-wakeno-mikoto (Emperor Ōjin); Okinaga-tarashi-hime-no-mikoto (Empress Jingū),
Kamigamo ShrineKita-ku, KyotoMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven, combined with Shimogamo Shrine; Wake-ikazuchi-no-kami; ichinomiya of Yamashiro Province[7]
Shimogamo ShrineSakyō-ku, KyotoMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven, combined with Kamigamo Shrine; Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto; Kamo Taeketsunumi-no-mikoto; ichinomiya of Yamashiro Province
Kasuga-taisha[8] NaraMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven, Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, Ame no Koyane, Himegami
Matsunoo TaishaUkyō-ku, KyotoMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven; Oyamakui-no-mikoto; Nakatsushima-hime-no-mikoto, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
Hirano ShrineKita-ku, KyotoMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven; Imaki-no-kami, Kudo-no-kami; Furuaki-no-kami, Himegami
Fushimi Inari-taishaFushimi-ku, KyotoMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Upper Seven; Inari Ōkami, Ukanomitama
Tatsuta TaishaSangō, NaraMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven, Shinatsuhiko
Ōmiwa ShrineSakurai, NaraMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven; ichinomiya of Yamato Province ŌmononushiŌnamuchiSukunahikona-no-kamiMount Miwa
Isonokami Shrine[9] Tenri, NaraMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven,
Ōyamato ShrineTenri, NaraMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven, Yamato Okunitama
Hirose TaishaKawai, NaraMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven
Sumiyoshi-taishaSumiyoshi-ku, OsakaMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven; ichinomiya of Settsu Province, Sumiyoshi sanjin, Empress Jingū
Hiyoshi TaishaŌtsuMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight, Ninomiya, Ōkuninushi, Oyamakui no Kami
Hirota ShrineNishinomiyaMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight, Amaterasu
Yasaka Shrine[10] Higashiyama-ku, KyotoKokushi genzaishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight, Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Gion cult, Yashimajinumi
Niukawakami ShrineHigashiyoshino, NaraMyojin Taishaone of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight
Itsukushima ShrineHatsukaichiMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Aki Province proposed addition to the Twenty-Two Shrines,,,
Izumo-taishaIzumo, ShimaneMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaichinomiya of Izumo Province[11] head shrine of Izumo-taishakyo, sometimes seen as a rival to Ise Grand Shrine, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
Hikawa Shrine[12] SaitamaMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaichinomiya of Musashi ProvinceSusanooKushinadahimeŌkuninushiAshinazuchiTenazuchi
Usa JingūUsa, ŌitaMyojin Taisha, Chokusaishaichinomiya of Buzen ProvinceHachiman
Kashii-gūHigashi-ku, FukuokaKokushi genzaisha, ChokusaishaEmperor Chuai, Empress Jingu
Kashihara JinguKashihara, NaraChokusaishaEmperor Jimmu, Himetataraisuzu-hime
Heian JinguSakyō-ku, KyotoChokusaisha
Meiji Jingu[13] ShibuyaChokusaishaEmperor MeijiEmpress Shoken
Omi JingūŌtsuChokusaishaEmperor Tenji
Awa ShrineTateyama, ChibaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Awa Province Ame-no-Futodama
Aso ShrineAso, KumamotoMyojin Taisha
Atsuta Jingu[14] Atsuta-ku, NagoyaMyojin TaishaAtsuta no Ōkami

Amaterasu

Susanoo

Yamatotakeru

Miyazu-hime

Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha[15] Fujinomiya, Shizuoka[16] Myojin Taishaichinomiya of Suruga Province, Konohanasakuya-hime
Gassan ShrineTsuruokaMyojin Taishaone of the Three Mountains of Dewa; Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
Hakozaki ShrineHigashi-ku, FukuokaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Chikuzen ProvinceEmperor ŌjinEmpress JingūTamayori-hime
Hinokuma JinguWakayamaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Kii Province,[17] shared with Kunikakasu Shrine;
Hie ShrineChiyoda, TokyoOyamakui no Kami
Hiraoka ShrineHigashiōsakaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Kawachi Province Ame-no-Koyane, Hime-gami, Futsunushi, Takemikazuchi
Hokkaidō Jingū[18] Sapporoichinomiya of Ezo Province[19] Ōkunitama, Ōkuninushi, and Sukunahikona,
Ikukunitama ShrineTennōji-ku, OsakaMyojin Taisha
Izanagi JinguMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Awaji Province Izanagi, Izanami
Kehi JinguTsuruga, FukuiMyojin Taisha
Kagoshima JingūKirishima, KagoshimaShikinai Taishaichinomiya of Ōsumi ProvinceHooriToyotama-himeEmperor ChūaiEmperor ŌjinEmpress Jingū
Kamayama ShrineWakayama
Kirishima JingūKirishima, KagoshimaKonohanasakuya-himeHooriToyotama-himeUgayafukiaezuTamayori-bimeNinigi-no-Mikoto
Kumano Hongū TaishaTanabe, WakayamaMyojin Taisha
Kumano Hayatama TaishaShingū, WakayamaShikinai Taisha
Kunikakasu ShrineWakayamaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Kii Province; shared with Hinokuma Shrine;
Mishima TaishaMishima, ShizuokaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Izu Province, Ōyamatsumi
Miyazaki JingūMiyazakiEmperor JimmuUgayafukiaezuTamayori-bime
Munakata TaishaMunakata, FukuokaMyojin Taisha,,
Niutsuhime ShrineKatsuragi, WakayamaMyojin TaishaNiutsuhime-no-ŌkamiKōyamiko-no-ŌkamiŌgetsuhime-no-kamiIchikishimahime-no-Ōkami
Ōtori taishaSakaiMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Izumi Province Ōtori-no-muraji and Yamato Takeru
Suwa-taishaSuwa, NaganoMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Shinano ProvinceTakeminakataYasakatomeKotoshironushi
Takebe taishaŌtsu[20] Myojin TaishaYamato-takeru-no-mitoko
Taga-taishaTaga, ShigaSannomiya Izanagi, Izanami
Udo JingūNichinan, MiyazakiUgayafukiaezuAmaterasuAme-no-oshihomimiNinigi-no-MikotoHooriEmperor Jimmu
Yoshino Jingu[21] Yoshino, NaraEmperor Go-Daigo
Taiwan Grand ShrineTaipei, Taiwannow extinct
Karafuto ShrineYuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Karafuto Prefecture, Russiaremoved from Sakhalin
Chōsen JinguSeoul, Korea under Japanese rulenow extinctKunitama OkamiAmaterasu Okami
Fuyo JingūBuyeo County, Koreanever completed[22] Emperor Ōjin (Hachiman),Empress Kōgyoku,Emperor Tenji,Empress Jingū
Kantō JinguLüshunkou District, Kwantung Leased Territory, Chinanow extinctEmperor MeijiAmaterasu Omikami
Nan'yō Shrine[23] Koror, PalauAmaterasu Ōmikami. holy relics and kami were evacuated by submarine in 1944[24]

Imperial shrines, 2nd rank

The mid-range of ranked Imperial shrines or Kanpei Chūsha (官幣中社) included 23 sanctuaries. These shrines were considered to be of intermediate rank among the government-supported shrines and were given lesser financial support compared to the Kanpei-taisha.[25]

namelocationcategorynotes
Ōharano Shrine.Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto.Kokushi genzaishaTake-mikazuchi-no-mitoko, Futsunushi Ame-no-Koyane, Himegami, one of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Middle Seven;
Kifune Shrine.Sakyō-ku, KyotoMyojin TaishaKuraokami-no-kami, one of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight
Kitano Tenmangū.Kamigyō-ku, KyotoKokushi genzaishaSugawara no Michizane , one of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight
Umenomiya Taisha.Ukyō-ku, Kyoto[26] Myojin TaishaSakatoke-no-kami, Ōwakako-no-kami, Satatokeko-no-kami, one of the Twenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight;
Yoshida Shrine.Sakyō-ku, KyotoTwenty-Two Shrines, Lower Eight, Take-mikazuchi-no-mitoko, Futsunushi Ame-no-Koyane, Himegami,[27]
Akama JinguShimonosekiEmperor Antoku
n.b., raised to kanpei-taisha in 1940
Dazaifu Tenmangū.Dazaifu, FukuokaSugawara no Michizane
Hikosan Jingū.Soeda, Fukuoka PrefectureAmenooshihomimiIzanagiIzanami-no-Mikoto
Iinoya-gūHamana-ku, Hamamatsu[28] Munenaga-shinnō
Ikasuri ShrineChūō-ku, OsakaShikinai Taishaichinomiya of Settsu Province Zamagami
Ikuta ShrineChūō-ku, KobeMyojin TaishaWakahiru-me
Itakiso ShrineWakayama (city)[29] Myojin Taisha
Kamakura-gūKamakura[30] Morinaga-shinnō
Kanasana ShrineKodama District, SaitamaMyojin TaishaAmaterasu, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
Kanegasaki-gū[31] Tsuruga, Fukui[32] Takanaga Shinnō, Tsunenaga shinnō
Kibitsu ShrineOkayamaMyojin Taisha
Kumano Nachi TaishaNachikatsuura[33] Kokushi genzaishaKetsumiko, Kumano Hayatama-no-kami, Kumano Fusumi-no-kami
Minase ShrineShimamoto, OsakaEmperor Go-Toba, Emperor Tsuchimikado and Emperor Juntoku; n.b., raised to kanpei-taisha in 1940
Mikami ShrineYasu, Shiga[34] Myojin Taisha
Nagata Shrine.Nagata-ku, Kobe[35] Myojin TaishaKotohshironushi-no-mikoto
Shiramine Jingū[36] Kamigyō-ku, KyotoEmperor Junnin
n.b., raised to kanpei-taisha in 1940
Sumiyoshi ShrineShimonoseki[37] Myojin Taisha
Yatsushiro-gūYatsushiro, Kumamoto[38] Prince Kaneyoshi
.Tarumi-ku, Kobe, Harima ProvinceMyojin TaishaWatatsumi
.Tainan, Taiwannow extinct; Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa-no-mikoto

Imperial shrines, 3rd rank

There were five shrines that were considered the lowest ranked among the Imperial shrines. They were called Kanpei-shōsha (官幣小社).[31]

namelocationCategorynotes
Kamado Shrine.Dazaifu, Fukuoka[39] Myojin TaishaTamayori-bimeEmperor ŌjinEmpress Jingū
Naminoue Shrine.Naha, Okinawa[40] Izanami, Hayatama, Kotosaka; ichinomiya of Ryukyu Islands[41]
Ōkunitama Shrine.Fuchū, Tokyo[42] Ōkuninushi

Okunitama

Shikaumi Shrine.Higashi-ku, Fukuoka[43] Myojin TaishaUwatsutsunoo-no-mikoto, Kakatsutsunoo-no-mitoko, Sokotsutsunoo-no-mikoto,
Sumiyoshi Shrine. Hakata-ku, Fukuoka[44] Myojin Taisha

Other Imperial shrines

After the establishment of the officially ranked Imperial shrines, another group of special shrines known as Bekkaku kanpeisha (別格官幣社) was created. These shrines were not included in the ranking system of the Imperial shrines, but were still imperial.[45]

namelocationCategorynotes
Yasukuni ShrineChiyoda, TokyoChokusaishaGokoku Shrines are categorized separately but considered branches of this shrine[46]
Abeno Shrine
Fujishima ShrineFukui (city)
Fukui (city)
Goō ShrineKamigyō-ku, Kyoto
Karasawayama ShrineTochigi
Kenkun ShrineKita-ku, Kyoto
Kikuchi Shrine
Kitabatake ShrineTsu, Mie
Komikado Shrine
Kunōzan Tōshō-gū
Minatogawa Shrine,, Japan
Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto
Nawa Shrine
Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Oyama Shrine
Ryōzen Shrine
Shijōnawate Shrine
Tanzan ShrineSakurai, Nara
Toyokuni Shrine (Kyoto),,
Yamaguchi (city)
Yamaguchi (city)
Terukuni shrine
Tokiwa shrine
Uesugi Shrine
Yūki ShrineTsu, Mie

Kokuhei-sha

The identified the hierarchy of government-supported shrines with national significance. The kokuheisha enshrined kami considered beneficial to more local areas.[1]

National shrines, 1st rank

The most highly ranked, nationally significant shrines or were six sanctuaries.

namelocationCategorynotes
Keta TaishaHakui, IshikawaMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Noto Province Ōkuninushi
Kōra taishaKurume, FukuokaMyojin Taisha
Kumano TaishaMatsue, ShimaneMyojin Taisha
Nangū TaishaTarui, GifuMyojin Taisha
Ōyamazumi ShrineImabari, EhimeMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Iyo Province Ōyamatsumi
Tado TaishaKuwana, MieMyojin TaishaNinomiya, Amatsuhikone

National shrines, 2nd rank

The mid-range of ranked, nationally significant shrines or encompassed 47 sanctuaries.

namelocationCategorynotes
Aekuni ShrineUeno, Iga
Ani ShrineOkayama, OkayamaMyojin Taisha
Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi ShrineYuza, YamagataMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Dewa Province;
Chinzei Taisha Suwa ShrineNagasaki, Nagasaki
Hakodate Hachiman ShrineHakodate, Hokkaidō
Hayatani ShrineHatsukaichi, HiroshimaNinomiya
Ichinomiya Nukisaki ShrineTomioka, GunmaMyojin Taisha
Isasumi ShrineAizumisato, FukushimaMyojin Taisha
Ichinomiya Asama ShrineFuefuki, YamanashiMyojin Taisha
Ikushimatarushima ShrineUeda, NaganoMyojin Taisha
Imizu ShrineTakaoka, ToyamaMyojin Taisha
Izumo daijinguKameoka, KyotoMyojin Taisha
Izushi ShrineToyooka, HyōgoMyojin Taisha
Iwa ShrineShisō, HyōgoeMyojin Taisha
Isono ShrineSaijō, EhimeMyojin Taisha
Inbe ShrineTokushima, TokushimaMyojin Taisha
Kaijin ShrineTsushima, NagasakiMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Tsushima Province;
Kono ShrineMiyazu, KyotoMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Tango Province
Kotohira-guKotohira, Kagawa
Masumida ShrineIchinomiya, AichiMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Owari Province
Mizuwakasu ShrineOkinoshima, ShimaneMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Oki Province
Miho ShrineMatsue, Shimane
Nakayama ShrineTsuyama, OkayamaMyojin Taisha
Nikkō Futarasan ShrineNikkō, TochigiMyojin Taisha
Nitta ShrineSatsumasendai, Kagoshimaichinomiya of Satsuma Province
Ōasahiko ShrineNaruto, TokushimaMyojin Taisha
Ōagata ShrineInuyama, AichiMyojin TaishaNinomiya,
Oarai Isosaki ShrineŌarai, IbarakiMyojin Taisha
Shiogama ShrineShiogama, Miyagi
Sakatsura Isosaki ShrineHitachinaka, IbarakiMyojin Taisha
Sumiyoshi Shrine (Iki City)Iki, NagasakiMyojin Taisha
Samukawa ShrineSamukawa, KanagawaMyojin Taisha
Shirayamahime ShrineHakusan, Ishikawaichinomiya of Kaga Province
Sasamuta ShrineŌita, ŌitaShikinai Taisha
Tsutsukowake ShrineTanagura, FukushimaMyojin Taisha
Tamanooya ShrineHōfu, Yamaguchiichinomiya of Suō Province
Tamasaki ShrineIchinomiya, ChibaMyojin Taisha
Tamura ShrineTakamatsu, KagawaMyojin Taisha
Tashima ShrineKaratsu, SagaMyojin Taisha
Tosa ShrineKōchi, KōchiShikinai Taishaichinomiya of Tosa Province
Tsurugaoka HachimangūKamakura, Kanagawa
Utsunomiya Futarayama ShrineUtsunomiya, TochigiMyojin Taisha
Ube ShrineTottori, TottoriMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Inaba Province
Wakasahiko ShrineObama, FukuiMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Wakasa Province
Yahiko ShrineYahiko, NiigataMyojin Taishaichinomiya of Echigo Province

National shrines, 3rd rank

The lowest ranked, nationally significant shrines or includes 50 sanctuaries.

Namelocationcategorynotes
Chichibu, SaitamaShinomiya
Chiriku Hachiman ShrineMiyaki, Sagaichinomiya of Buzen Province
Dewa ShrineTsuruoka, Yamagataone of the Three Mountains of Dewa
Fujisaki-hachimanguKumamoto, Kumamoto
Hakone, Kanagawa
Hinomisaki ShrineIzumo, Shimane
Ibusuki, Kagoshimaichinomiya of Satsuma Province
Hotaka ShrineAzumino, NaganoMyojin Taisha
Iminomiya ShrineShimonoseki, Yamaguchi
Gifu, Gifu
Hirosaki, Aomoriichinomiya of Mutsu Province
Atami, Shizuoka
Kibitsuhiko ShrineOkayama, OkayamaMyojin Taisha
Fukuyama, Hiroshimaichinomiya of Bingo Province
Akita, AkitaKokushi genzaisha
Komagata ShrineŌshū, Iwateichinomiya of Rikuchū Province
Takayama, Gifuichinomiya of Hida Province
Mononobe ShrineŌda, Shimaneichinomiya of Iwami Province
Nunakuma ShrineFukuyama, Hiroshima
Yonago, Tottori
Mori, Shizuokaichinomiya of Tōtōmi Province
Owari Ōkunitama ShrineInazawa, Aichi
Oyama ShrineTateyama, Toyamaichinomiya of Etchū Province
Matsue, Shimane
Yurihama, Tottoriichinomiya of Hōki Province
Aoi-ku, Shizuoka
Susa ShrineIzumo, Shimane
Kaga, IshikawaNinomiya
Tsushima, Aichi
Echizen, FukuiNinomiya
Nagano, Nagano
Nanto, Toyama
Toyokawa, Aichiichinomiya of Mikawa Province
Tsuno ShrineTsuno, Miyazakiichinomiya of Hyūga Province
Watatsu ShrineSado, Niigataichinomiya of Sado Province
Yudonosan ShrineTsuruoka, Yamagataone of the Three Mountains of Dewa
Yusuhara HachimangūOita, Oitaichinomiya of Bungo Province
Heijō ShrinePyongyang, Koreaextinct
Kagi ShrineChiayi, Taiwanextinct
Hamhung, Koreaextinct
Keijō ShrineSeoul, Koreaextinct
Gwangju, Koreaextinct
Chuncheon, Koreaextinct
Ryūtōsan ShrineBusan, Koreaextinct
Hsinchu, Taiwanextinct
Taichu ShrineTaichung, Taiwanextinct
Daegu, Koreaextinct
Jeonju, Koreaextinct

Gokoku shrines

Gokoku shrines were ranked separately. They were considered branches of Yasukuni Shrine.[46] This list only includes those which are currently ranked as Beppyo shrines.

namelocationBeppyonotes
formerlyTraditional head shrine. Also ranked as a Bekkaku Kanpeisha
yes
yes
Yamagatayes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
, yes
yes
yes
yes
,, yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Hamada Gokoku Shrineyes
yes
Bingo Gokoku Shrineyes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Nagasaki Gokoku Shrineyes
yes
yes
yesNot a proper Gokoku Shrine but listed as equivalent due to having been finished after the war
yesNot a proper Gokoku Shrine but listed as equivalent due to having been finished after the war
no
, no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
, no
no
no
no

"Min-sha"

The or various smaller shrines ranking below these two levels of Kan-sha ("official government shrines") are commonly, though unofficially, referred to as "people's shrines" or . These lower-ranking shrines were initially subdivided by the proclamation of the fourteenth day of the fifth month of 1871 into four main ranks, "Metropolitan", "Clan" or "Domain", "Prefectural", and "District" shrines.[4] By far the largest number of shrines fell below the rank of District shrine. Their status was clarified by the of the fourth day of the seventh month of 1871, in accordance with which "Village shrines" ranked below their respective "District shrines", while the smaller local shrines or Hokora ranked beneath the "Village shrines".[4]

Here is a non-exhaustive list of shrines under each categorization. This list only includes ones now listed as Beppyo shrines unless otherwise specified.

Metropolitan and Prefectural Shrines

"Metropolitan shrines" were known as . "Prefectural shrines" were known as . At a later date, the "Prefectural shrines" were classed together with the "Metropolitan shrines" as "Metropolitan and Prefectural Shrines" or .

NamelocationCategorynotes
Metropolitan Shrine (府社)
Nogi Shrine (Tokyo)Minato, Tokyo
Kanda ShrineChiyoda, Tokyo
Tōgō ShrineTokyo Shibuya
Ōmiya Hachiman Shrine (Tokyo)Suginami
Yushima TenmangūBunkyō
Atago Shrine (Kyoto)Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Ukyō-ku, KyotoShikinai Shosha
Osaka TenmangūKita-ku, Osaka
Kōzu-gūChuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Prefectural Shrine (県社)
Sumiyoshi ShrineOtaru
Kamikawa ShrineAsahikawa
Obihiro ShrineObihiro
Tarumaezan ShrineTomakomai
Saruka ShrineHirakawa, Aomori
Shiwa District, Iwate Shiwa, Iwate
Morioka HachimangūMorioka
IshinomakiShōsha Ronsha (小社論社)
Takekoma Inari ShrineIwanuma
Akita (city)
Senboku District, Akita Misato, Akita
Kinpō ShrineTsuruoka
Kumano ShrineNan'yō, Yamagata
Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Shirataka
Nishimurayama District, Yamagata Kahoku, Yamagata
Yamagata
Sagae
Tsukubasan ShrineTsukubaMyojin Taisha (名神)・Shikinai Shosha
Mito Tōshō-gūMito, Ibaraki
Chichibu, Saitama
Nagatoro, Saitama
Higashimatsuyama, Saitama
Hikawa Shrine (Kawagoe)Kawagoe, Saitama
Washinomiya ShrineKuki, Saitama
Koma ShrineHidaka, Saitama
Enoshima ShrineFujisawa, Kanagawa
Yokohama
Hiratsuka
Hōtoku Ninomiya ShrineOdawara
Isehara, KanagawaShikinai Shosha
Niigata (city) Chūō-ku, NiigataShōsha Ronsha (小社論社)
Toyama city
KanazawaShikinai Shosha
Fukui (city)
Fujiyoshida
Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Fujikawaguchiko
Takeda ShrineKōfu
Matsumoto, Nagano
Suwa, Nagano
Chikuma, NaganoMyojin Taisha (名神)
Ōmachi, Nagano
Takayama, Gifu
Akihasan Hongū Akiha ShrineTenryū Ward
Shimoda, ShizuokaMyojin Taisha (名神)
Yaizu ShrineYaizu
Shimada, Shizuoka
Chūō-ku, Hamamatsu
Wakamiya Hachiman ShrineNaka Ward, Nagoya City
ChiryūShikinai Shosha
Tsubaki Grand ShrineSuzuka, MieShōsha Ronsha (小社論社)
Himure Hachiman-gūŌmihachiman
Nagahama, Shiga
Nishinomiya ShrineNishinomiya
Itatehyōzu ShrineHimejiShikinai Shosha
Hiromine ShrineHimejiKokushi genzaisha (国史)
Oishi ShrineAkō, Hyōgo
Tada ShrineKawanishi, Hyōgo
Yamatotakada, NaraTaisha (大社)
Tanabe, Wakayama
Matsue
Yaegaki ShrineMatsueShikinai Shosha
Fukuyama HachimangūFukuyama, Hiroshima
Kure, Hiroshima
Hōfu TenmangūHōfu
Ube, Yamaguchi
Kameyama HachimangūShimonoseki
Saijō, Ehime
Uwajima, Ehime
MatsuyamaMyojin Taisha (名神)
Kōchi (city)
Miyajidake ShrineFukutsu, Fukuoka
Kurume SuitengūKurume City
Kushida ShrineHakata-ku, Fukuoka
Furogu ShrineŌkawa, Fukuoka
Kitakyushu Tobata-ku, Kitakyūshū
Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū
Umi Hachiman-gūKasuya District, Fukuoka Umi, Fukuoka
Buzen, Fukuoka
Terumo ShrineChūō-ku, Fukuoka
Iizuka, Fukuoka
Yūtoku Inari ShrineKashima, Saga
Sasebo
Aoi Aso ShrineHitoyoshi, Kumamoto
Beppu
Ōita (city)
Miyakonojō
Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Takaharu, Miyazaki
Susaki ShrineAwa Province Ichinomiya, Not a Beppyo shrine
Soja Shrine, Not a Beppyo shrine
Take ShrineFuchu, Aki District, HiroshimaMyojin Taisha (名神)Not a Beppyo shrine
Unknown
Tsubaki-Nakato ShrineSuzuka, Mie PrefectureIse Province Ichinomiya, Not a Beppyo shrine
Kotonomama Hachiman-gūKakegawa, Shizuoka PrefectureTōtōmi Province Ichinomiya, Not a Beppyo shrine
Keta JinjaTakaoka, Toyama Prefectureichinomiya of former Etchū Province, Not a Beppyo shrine
Kota ShrineJōetsu, Niigata Prefectureichinomiya of former Echigo Province, Not a Beppyo shrine
Amatsu ShrineItoigawa, Niigataichinomiya of former Echigo Province, Not a Beppyo shrine
Awaga-jinjaAsago in Hyōgo Prefectureichinomiya of former Tajima Province, Not a Beppyo shrine
Ichinomiya ShrineTokushima in Tokushima Prefecture, Japanichinomiya of former Awa Province, Not a Beppyo shrine
Saga, Saga PrefectureHizen Province ichinomiya, Not a Beppyo shrine
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Kyoto, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Izumi Province, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Higo Province, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
OsakaNot a Beppyo shrine
Nitta Shrine (Ōta)Not a Beppyo shrine
Suga ShrineUnnan, Shimane Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Sakurai Shrine (Sakai)Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Osaka Prefecture, JapanMyojin TaishaNot a Beppyo shrine
Suda Hachiman ShrineHashimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Nishiwaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
HabikinoNot a Beppyo shrine
Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, JapanNot a Beppyo shrine
Ikoma ShrineIkoma, NaraNot a Beppyo shrine
Minamiawaji, Hyōgo PrefectureNot a Beppyo shrine, Yamato Okunitama, Awaji Province Ninomiya
Koxinga ShrineTainan, TaiwanWas proposed to be the highest shrine in Taiwan[47]

Clan or Domain shrines

"Clan shrines" or "Domain shrines" were known as .[4] Due to the abolition of the han system, no shrines were ever placed in this category.[45]

District shrine

"District shrines" were known as .[4]

NamelocationCategorynotes
Shōnai, Yamagata
Inashiki
Suginami
Kawasaki, Kanagawa Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki
Fujiyoshida
Fuji, ShizuokaShikinai Shosha
Imamiya Ebisu ShrineNaniwa-ku, Osaka
Kanoashi District, Shimane Tsuwano, Shimane
Anan, Tokushima
Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
Tagata ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Not a Beppyo shrine
Ono ShrineNot a Beppyo shrineMusashi Province Ichinomiya
Ebetsu shrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Hokumon ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Kushihiki HachimangūNot a Beppyo shrine
Ōsasahara ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Shirahigetawara ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Torigoe Hachiman ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Tosa Kokubun-jiNot a Beppyo shrine
Not a Beppyo shrine
Not a Beppyo shrine
Kishiwada, OsakaNot a Beppyo shrine

Village shrines

"Village shrines" were known as and ranked below their respective "District shrines", in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871.[4]

NamelocationCategorynotes
Ōsaki HachimangūSendai Aoba-ku, Sendai
Kasama Inari ShrineKasama, Ibaraki
Matsumoto, Nagano
Atami
Futami Okitama ShrineIse, Mie
Higashiōmi
Hiroshima Minami-ku, Hiroshima
Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū
Aoshima ShrineMiyazaki (city)
Takachiho ShrineNishiusuki District, Miyazaki Takachiho, MiyazakiKokushi genzaisha (国史)
Amanoiwato ShrineTakachiho Town, Nishiusuki District
Iki, NagasakiMyojin Taisha (名神)Iki Province Ichinomiya, not a Beppyo shrine
Araki ShrineOkinoshima, ShimaneSōja shrine, not a Beppyo shrine
Kyōtango, Kyoto Prefecturenot a Beppyo shrine
Ichinomiya Sengen ShrineIchikawamisato, Nishiyatsushiro District in Yamanashi PrefectureMyojin Taisha (名神)Kai Province Ichinomiya, not a Beppyo shrine
Kamochi ShrineHino, Tottori Prefecturenot a Beppyo shrine
Nagakusa Tenjin ShrineAichi Prefecture, Obu Citynot a Beppyo shrine
Togakushi Shrinenot a Beppyo shrine
Oki-gun, ShimaneMyojin Taisha (名神)Oki Province Ichinomiya, not a Beppyo shrine
Iki Province Sōja shrine

Hokora or Ungraded shrines

Small local shrines known as are ranked beneath the village shrines, in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871.[4] At a later date, shrines beneath the rank of "Village shrines" were classed as "Ungraded shrines" or .[4]

NamelocationCategorynotes
Sarutahiko ShrineIse, MieSarutahiko Ōkami
Takahashi Inari ShrineKumamoto
Itsukushima Shrine (Kyoto)Not a Beppyo shrine
Shirakumo ShrineNot a Beppyo shrine
Suitengū (Tokyo)Not a Beppyo shrine

Statistics

New shrines were established and existing shrines promoted to higher ranks at various dates, but a 1903 snapshot of the 193,297 shrines in existence at that time saw the following:[4]

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, Kokugakuin University: Glossary of Shinto Names and Terms, Kampei Taisha.
  2. Book: Holtom, D.C. . The National Faith Of Japan. A Study in Modern Shinto. First published 1965 . 2012-11-12. Routledge. 9781136165573. 12. en.
  3. Book: Bocking, Brian. A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. 1997. Curzon Press. 9780700710515. 120. en.
  4. The Establishment of Shrine Shinto in Meiji Japan . Fridell, Wilbur M . . 2 . 2–3 . 1975 . . 137–168 . 10.18874/jjrs.2.2-3.1975.137-168 . free .
  5. [Richard Ponsonby-Fane|Ponsonby-Fane, Richard]
  6. Chiba prefectural government: Chiba, Katori Shrine
  7. http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/images/uploads/EOS070712Ab.pdf "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya,"
  8. National Diet Library (NDL): Kanpei Taisha Kasuga Jinja
  9. Nara National Museum: No. 31, Map of the Precincts of Kanpei Taisha Isonokami Shrine
  10. Ponsonby-Fane. Imperial, p. 126.
  11. http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/images/uploads/EOS070712Ab.pdf "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya,"
  12. Sawada, Janine Anderson. (2004). Practical pursuits: religion, politics, and personal cultivation in nineteenth-century Japan, p. 312 n15.
  13. Breen, John et al. (2000). Shinto in History: ways of the Kami, p. 276.
  14. Encyclopedia of Shinto: Atsuta Shinkō
  15. Bernstein, Andrew. "Whose Fuji?: Religion, Region, and State in the Fight for a National Symbol," Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 63, No. 1, Spring 2008, pp. 51-99; Ponsonby-Fane, (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 125.
  16. Asama Shrine: Fujinomiya, Shizuoka = Ōmiya in Suruga province
  17. http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/images/uploads/EOS070712Ab.pdf "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya,"
  18. Ponsonby-Fane, (1963). The Vicissitudes of Shinto, p. 328.
  19. http://nippon-kichi.jp/article_list.do;jsessionid=FC887DADAAEBA72810A17BDBE48CA719?kwd=2248&ml_lang=en 北海道神宮 ... Hokkaido Jingu Shrine at Nippon-Kichi.jp
  20. Takebe Taisha: Ōtsu, Shiga = Seta in Ōmi province
  21. NDL: Kanpei Taisha Yoshino Jingu
  22. Michio . Nakajima . 2010 . Shinto Deities that Crossed the Sea: Japan's "Overseas Shrines," 1868 to 1945 . Japanese Journal of Religious Studies . 37 . 1 . 21–46 . 0304-1042.
  23. [Mark Peattie|Peattie]
  24. Peattie, p. 339 n61.
  25. Ponsonby-Fane. Imperial, p. 125.
  26. Umenomiya Shrine: Ukyō-ku, Kyoto = Umetsu in Yamashiro province
  27. Web site: Japanese Shrines. 2023-04-10. www.taleofgenji.org.
  28. Iinoya-gū:Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu = Iya in Tōtōmi province.
  29. Itakeso Shrine: Wakayama, Wakayama = Nishiyama Higashimura in Kii province; n.b., = Kishū (紀州)
  30. Kamakura-gū: Kamakura, Kanagawa = Kamakura in Sagami province
  31. Ponsonby-Fane. Imperial, p. 127.
  32. Kanegazaki Shrine: Tsuruga, Fukui = Tsuruga in Echizen province
  33. Kumano Nachi Taisha: Nachikatsuura, Wakayama = Nachi in Kii province; n.b., = Kishū (紀州), was a province of Honshū in Wakayama Prefecture and Mie Prefecture.
  34. Mikami Shrine: Yasu, Shiga = Mikamimura in Ōmi province
  35. Nagata Shrine: Nagata-ku, Kobe = Kobe in Settsu province.
  36. Ponsonby-Fane. Imperial, p. 126; n.b., raised to kanpei-taisha in 1940
  37. Sumiyoshi Shrine: Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi = Katsuyama in Nagato province
  38. Yatsushiro Shrine: Yatsushiro, Kumamoto = Yatsushiro in Higo province
  39. Kamado Shrine: Dazaifu, Fukuoka = Fukuoka in Chikuzen province
  40. Naminoe Shrine: Naha, Okinawa = Wakasa on Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Kingdom
  41. [George H. Kerr|Kerr, George H.]
  42. Ōkunitama jinja at Fuchū, Tokyo = Fuchū in Musashi province
  43. Shigaumi Shrine: Higashi-ku, Fukuoka = Fukuoka, Chikuzen province
  44. Sumiyoshi Shrine: Hakata-ku, Fukuoka = Fukuoka in Chikuzen province
  45. Web site: Modern Shrine Ranking System . Encyclopedia of Shinto . . 29 September 2019.
  46. TAKAYAMA . K. PETER . 1990 . Enshrinement and Persistency of Japanese Religion . Journal of Church and State . 32 . 3 . 527–547 . 0021-969X.
  47. Book: Shimizu, Karli . Overseas Shinto Shrines: Religion, Secularity and the Japanese Empire . Rambelli . Fabio . 2022-10-06 . Bloomsbury Academic . 978-1-350-23498-7 . London New York (N.Y.) Oxford . English.