神宮(じんぐう)

じんぐう
noun
grand shrine; jingu
1. grand shrine; jingu
A high-status Shinto shrine, typically one with imperial connections or dedicated to the imperial family or a major deity. Higher in rank than a regular shrine (神社(じんじゃ)). When used alone without a place name, it usually refers to Ise Jingu, the most sacred Shinto shrine.
伊勢神宮(いせじんぐう)に参拝(さんぱい)した。
I visited Ise Grand Shrine.
明治神宮(めいじじんぐう)は東京(とうきょう)で最(もっと)も有名(ゆうめい)な神宮(じんぐう)だ。
Meiji Jingu is the most famous grand shrine in Tokyo.
神宮(じんぐう)は神社(じんじゃ)の中(なか)でも特(とく)に格式(かくしき)の高(たか)い神社(じんじゃ)を指(さ)す。
Jingu refers to shrines of particularly high rank among Shinto shrines.

USAGE:
神宮(じんぐう) is a title given to shrines of the highest status in Shinto. Not all shrines can use this title — it is reserved for those with connections to the imperial family or major deities.

KEY EXAMPLES:

  • 伊勢神宮(いせじんぐう) (Ise Grand Shrine) — the holiest Shinto shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu
  • 明治神宮(めいじじんぐう) (Meiji Shrine) — dedicated to Emperor Meiji
  • 熱田神宮(あつたじんぐう) (Atsuta Shrine) — houses the sacred sword Kusanagi

SHRINE HIERARCHY:
神宮(じんぐう) (grand shrine) > 大社(たいしゃ) (great shrine) > 神社(じんじゃ) (shrine). The exact hierarchy is complex and debated, but 神宮(じんぐう) generally indicates the highest prestige.

Related Words

Related: 神社(じんじゃ)
general
Added 2026.3.18 23:46 · Revised 2026.3.29 19:42
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