Jinga, Taisha, Jingu: What's in a Name?

The Hierarchy: 6 Ranks

Let's climb the pyramid from top to bottom.

1. Jingu (The Imperial Shrines)

This is the highest rank. Shrines with this title enshrine **ancestors of the Imperial Family** (like Amaterasu) or past Emperors who had significant impact.

• Ise Jingu: Officially just "Jingu". It is the supreme shrine of Japan. "Ise" is added only for clarity. It is in a league of its own. It is rebuilt every 20 years (Shikinen Sengu) to maintain purity.
• Meiji Jingu: Enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Located in Tokyo, it has the largest number of New Year's visitors (Hatsumode) in Japan (3 million people).
• Atsuta Jingu: Houses the Kusanagi Sword (one of the Three Sacred Treasures), giving it special imperial status.
• Hokkaido Jingu: The protector of the northern lands, enshrined by Emperor Meiji's order.
• Kashihara Jingu: Dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the first legendary Emperor of Japan.

2. Gu (The Palaces)

Originally for Imperial princes, this title is also used for historical figures deified as Kami. The suffix "Gu" implies a grand, palace-like structure.

• Tenmangu: Shrines dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane (God of Learning). e.g., Dazaifu Tenmangu, Kitano Tenmangu. Students flock here for exams.
• Toshogu: Shrines dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu (the first Edo Shogun). e.g., Nikko Toshogu. Famous for lavish, colorful carvings.
• Hachimangu: Dedicated to Hachiman (God of War/Archery), who is identified with Emperor Ojin. e.g., Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Kamakura).
• Suitengu: Dedicated to Emperor Antoku and water deities. Pregnant women visit for safe childbirth.

3. Taisha (The Grand Shrines)

Meaning "Grand Shrine," this title was originally used *only* for Izumo Taisha. However, in the late 19th and 20th centuries, many "Head Shrines" (the main shrine of a network) were promoted to Taisha status.

• Izumo Taisha: The oldest and most important shrine for "En-musubi" (relationships). It has the largest Shimenawa rope in Japan.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha: The head of all 30,000 Inari shrines (fox shrines). Famous for the 1,000 Torii gates.
• Kasuga Taisha: The guardian shrine of the Fujiwara clan in Nara. Famous for its lanterns and deer.
• Suwa Taisha: The head of all Suwa shrines. Known for the dangerous Onbashira festival (riding giant logs down a hill).

4. Jinja (The Standard)

The most common title. It simply means "God's Place." Most local guardian shrines (Ujigami) fall into this category. Do not underestimate them; they are the closest protectors of the community.

5. Yashiro (Small Shrine)

Used for smaller or subsidiary shrines, often found within the grounds of a larger complex or in private homes (Yashiki-gami).

6. Gongen & Myojin (Historical Titles)

You might see these names in history books or on old maps. They reflect the era of **Shinbutsu Shugo** (mixture of Shinto and Buddhism), which was banned in 1868.

• Gongen (Avatar): Describes a Buddha appearing as a Kami (e.g., Hakone Gongen, Kumano Gongen). It implies the Kami is a temporary form of a universal Buddha.
• Myojin (Bright Deity): A respectful title for a clearly revealed god (e.g., Kanda Myojin). "Myojin" sounds powerful and mysterious.

Though officially abolished by the Meiji government, people still use these names affectionately, and some shrines (like Kanda Myojin) have reclaimed them as nicknames.

Ichinomiya: The "Number One" Shrine

Aside from the titles above, there is a special designation called **Ichinomiya**. This means "First Shrine" of a specific ancient province.

In the Heian period, Japan was divided into 60+ provinces (Kuni). Each province had a designated top-ranking shrine. Historically, newly appointed governors would visit the Ichinomiya first to greet the local gods. These are the top-ranking regional shrines and usually hold immense spiritual power over the land.

Modern Ranking: The "Shakaku" System

From 1871 to 1946, the Japanese government strictly ranked shrines to organize State Shinto. This was called the **Shakaku** system. Although abolished after WWII to separate church and state, you often still see these old ranks carved in stone pillars at shrine entrances.

• Kanpei-taisha (Imperial Grand Shrine): The highest rank, supported directly by the Imperial court.
• Kokuhei-chusha (National Middle Shrine): Supported by the national government.
• Kensha (Prefectural Shrine): Supported by the local prefecture.
• Gosha (Village Shrine): The local guardian of a village district.

Knowing this, if you see "Kanpei-taisha" on an old stone pillar, you know this shrine was considered critically important to the nation before the war.

Architecture Matches the Title

Often, the title dictates the architectural style.

• Shinmei-zukuri (Ise Style): Found in "Jingu" shrines. Ancient, simple, unpainted wood with a thatched roof. Purely Japanese style.
• Taisha-zukuri (Izumo Style): Found in "Taisha" shrines. massive, bold, with high floors and thick pillars. Oldest style.
• Gongen-zukuri (Toshogu Style): Found in "Gu" shrines like Nikko Toshogu. Complex, lacquered, colorful, with many carvings of dragons and animals. Heavily influenced by Buddhism and Chinese architecture.