A generic name for a Shinto shrine. Before World War Two shrines were classified into five categorize: first rank, taisha 大社, second rank, chūsha 中社, third rank or small shrines, shōsha 小社, prefectural shrines, kensha 県社, and village shrines, gōsha 郷社 of which there are many. Prefectural shrines are supervised by the prefectural government. Village shrines are administered by the village which has to see that the shrines are kept in reasonably good condition. Example: First class, highest ranking shrines; Ise Jingū 伊勢神宮 in Mie Prefecture, Izumo Taisha 出雲大社 in Shimane Prefecture. Second class, middle ranking shrines; Sumiyoshi Jinja 住吉神社 in Osaka, Kumano Jinja 熊野神社 in Wakayama Prefecture. Third class, low ranking shrines; Sengen Jinja 浅間神社, Izusan Jinja 伊豆山神社 both in Shizuoka Prefecture; Prefectural shrines; Nezu Jinja 根津神社 prefectural classification in Tokyo, Kubo Hachiman Jinja 窪八幡神社 prefectural classification in Nagano Prefecture. Village shrines Taji Jinja 多治神社 in Kyoto, Tajihayahime Jinja 多治速比売神社 in Osaka.
Izumo Taisha 出雲大社 (Shimane)