Ancient Shrines of Japan

Japan's Ancient Shrine Hierarchy

The historical importance of Japanese shrines was codified in systems like the engishiki (延喜式, 927 CE), which ranked shrines by their national significance. The highest ranks — Kanpei-taisha and the Nijunisha (22 Shrines) — indicate shrines that received imperial offerings and were considered protectors of the nation.

Note that many founding dates listed are "according to tradition" — their actual origins may predate or postdate these mythological accounts. The Nihon Shoki records founding dates measured from its cosmological calendar, which does not correspond to modern historical chronology.