INI

Types of Shrines and Temples - INI

Japanese shrines and temples are classified into various types based on historical and religious backgrounds. Shrines are categorized by their titles (Jingu, Taisha, Miya, Jinja, Sha, etc.) and shrine ranks (Kanpei Taisha, Kokuhei Taisha, etc.), while temples are organized by the honmatsu system (Sohonzan, Daihonzan, Honzan, Matsuji, etc.) and Buddhist sects. These classifications serve as an important foundation for understanding Japanese religious culture and history.

shrine temple shinto buddhism shrine rank honmatsu system japanese culture religion

[item.jingu]
code=S01
slug=jingu
name=Jingu
description=Shrines enshrining imperial ancestral deities or deities with deep ties to the imperial family, holding the highest rank.
category=shrine

[item.taisha]
code=S02
slug=taisha
name=Taisha
description=Large shrines representing a region or head shrines of a shrine network.
category=shrine

[item.miya]
code=S03
slug=miya
name=Miya (Gu)
description=Shrines enshrining imperial princes or historically important figures.
category=shrine

[item.jinja]
code=S04
slug=jinja
name=Jinja
description=The general term for shrines, representing the most numerous type.
category=shrine

[item.sha]
code=S05
slug=sha
name=Sha (Yashiro)
description=Small-scale shrines, often enshrining local guardian deities.
category=shrine

[item.hokora]
code=S06
slug=hokora
name=Hokora
description=Small religious facilities installed along roadsides.
category=shrine

[item.sohonzan]
code=T01
slug=sohonzan
name=Sohonzan
description=The supreme temple of each Buddhist sect, governing the entire sect.
category=temple

[item.daihonzan]
code=T02
slug=daihonzan
name=Daihonzan
description=Temples below Sohonzan that govern affiliated temples in a specific region.
category=temple

[item.beppaku-honzan]
code=T03
slug=beppaku-honzan
name=Beppaku Honzan
description=Temples with special status receiving treatment equivalent to Daihonzan.
category=temple

[item.honzan]
code=T04
slug=honzan
name=Honzan
description=Fundamental dojo of a sect that conducts dharma transmission and governs affiliated temples.
category=temple

[item.matsuji]
code=T05
slug=matsuji
name=Matsuji
description=Subordinate temples belonging to a Honzan or Honji.
category=temple

[item.tatchu]
code=T06
slug=tatchu
name=Tatchu
description=Branch temples within a Sohonzan built to memorialize successive chief priests.
category=temple