Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines

The modern system of ranked Shinto shrines(近代社格制度, Kindai Shakaku Seido; sometimes called simply shakaku(社格)) 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.

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.

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. 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 Kan-sha(官社) or "official government shrines" had two subdivisions, Kanpei-sha or "government shrines" and Kokuhei-sha or "national shrines".

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Kokuhei-sha

The Kokuhei-sha(国幣社) identified the hierarchy of government-supported shrines with national significance. The kokuheisha enshrined kami considered beneficial to more local areas.

National shrines, 1st rank

The most highly ranked, nationally significant shrines or Kokuhei Taisha(国幣大社) were six sanctuaries.

National shrines, 2nd rank

The mid-range of ranked, nationally significant shrines or Kokuhei Chūsha(国幣中社) encompassed 47 sanctuaries.

National shrines, 3rd rank

The lowest ranked, nationally significant shrines or Kokuhei Shōsha(国幣小社) includes 50 sanctuaries.

Gokoku shrines

Gokoku shrines were ranked separately. They were considered branches of Yasukuni Shrine.

"Min-sha"

The Sho-sha(諸社) 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 Min-sha(民社). 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. By far the largest number of shrines fell below the rank of District shrine. Their status was clarified by the District Shrine Law(郷社定則, Gōsha Teisoku) 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".

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 Fu-sha(府社). "Prefectural shrines" were known as Ken-sha(県社). At a later date, the "Prefectural shrines" were classed together with the "Metropolitan shrines" as "Metropolitan and Prefectural Shrines" or Fuken-sha(府県社).

Clan or Domain shrines

"Clan shrines" or "Domain shrines" were known as Han-sha(藩社). Due to the abolition of the han system, no shrines were ever placed in this category.

District shrine

"District shrines" were known as Gō-sha(郷社).

Village shrines

"Village shrines" were known as Son-sha(村社) and ranked below their respective "District shrines", in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871.

Hokora or Ungraded shrines

Small local shrines known as Hokora(祠) are ranked beneath the village shrines, in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871. At a later date, shrines beneath the rank of "Village shrines" were classed as "Ungraded shrines" or Mukaku-sha(無格社).

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:

• Kan-sha Imperial shrines: 95 National shrines: 75
• "Min-sha" Metropolitan and prefectural shrines: 571 District shrines: 3,476 Village shrines: 52,133 Ungraded shrines: 136,947

See also

• List of Shinto shrines
• Setsumatsusha

Notes

Sources

• Breen, John and Mark Teeuwen. (2000). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-2363-4
• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1962). Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1963). Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC