Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines

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

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.

These shrines were considered to be the most closely associated with the imperial family and received government support.

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] Ōnamuchi Sukunahikona-no-kami Mount Miwa Kushinadahime Ōkuninushi Ashinazuchi Tenazuchi Empress Shoken Amaterasu Susanoo Yamatotakeru Miyazu-hime Takeinadane [ja] Empress Jingū Tamayori-hime Toyotama-hime Emperor Chūai Emperor Ōjin Empress Jingū Hoori Toyotama-hime Ugayafukiaezu Tamayori-bime Ninigi-no-Mikoto Ugayafukiaezu Tamayori-bime Kōyamiko-no-Ōkami Ōgetsuhime-no-kami Ichikishimahime-no-Ōkami Yasakatome Kotoshironushi Amaterasu Ame-no-oshihomimi Ninigi-no-Mikoto Hoori Emperor Jimmu Kunitama Okami Amaterasu Okami Empress Kōgyoku, Emperor Tenji, Empress Jingū Emperor Meiji Amaterasu Omikami The mid-range of ranked Imperial shrines or Kanpei Chūsha (官幣中社) included 23 sanctuaries.

[45] The Kokuhei-sha (国幣社) identified the hierarchy of government-supported shrines with national significance.

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

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

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

1878 engraving by Yōshū Chikanobu (1838–1912). The figures represented in these three panels are: * Centre: Front . Emperor Meiji in a Western chair with his wife, Empress Shōken , seated in the foreground. The Imperial couple are accompanied behind and in the flanking panels with an array of Shinto kami and historical figures from Japan's past. Rear . The kami Izanami , Kunitokotatchi and Izanagi . * Right: Front . Emperor Kōmei (seated in foreground), Empress Go-Sakuramachi (here presented as a man with a false goatee), and Emperor Jinmu (carrying a rough bow and perched eagle. Rear . The kami Amaterasu (standing and holding the three Sacred Treasures of Japan ) and Ninigi-no-Mikoto (who first brought to earth the Imperial regalia—the sword, Kusanagi , the mirror, Yata no Kagami , and the jewel, Yasakani no magatama ). * Left: Front : Emperor Go-Momozono (clothed in red), Emperor Kōkaku (clothed in black) and Emperor Ninkō (clothed in green). Rear . The kami Hiko-hohodemi (clothed in white) and Ugayafukiaezu (clothed in yellow).