Shinkai (divine rank)

[1][2][3] Higher rank meant more lands were given to the shrine and it became wealthier and more powerful.

Its goal was to control important shrines for the state.

[1] The earlier Hanpei system was about giving festival materials (heihaku) to shrines.

Shinto priests who did not collect heihaku faced penalties, but this did not work well.

[2] During the Enryaku era, the Department of Divinities made two important changes:[2] By the late eighth century, it was common to give status and rankings to shrines.

[2] For example In history every time Mount Chokai erupted, the rank of Omonoimi no Kami the kami of Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine[4] was increased.

[5] Omonoimi no Kami is known to have received the rank of Shōichii in the reign of Emperor Yōmei.