ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines

Okay kiddo, so you know how every religion has important places that people go to pray and show respect? In Japan, one of those places is called a shrine, and it’s a special building that people visit to ask for good luck or to thank the gods.

Now, some of these shrines are more popular than others, so the Japanese government has a way to rank them based on how important or famous they are. This is called the modern system of ranked Shinto shrines.

The system has three levels called “Jingu,” “Taisha,” and “Jinja,” with Jingu being the highest rank. The ranking depends on factors like the shrine’s age, historical significance, and the number of people who visit it.

The Jingu shrines are the most important and are usually connected to the Imperial family or very old traditions. The Taisha shrines are also very important and have a long history, but they’re not quite as famous as the Jingu shrines. Finally, the Jinja shrines are still important, but they’re usually smaller and not as well-known as the other two ranks.

So that’s the modern system of ranked Shinto shrines! Basically, it’s a way for the Japanese government to show how important and special each shrine is based on its history and popularity.