The or various smaller shrines ranking below these two levels of
Kan-sha ("official government shrines") are commonly, though unofficially, referred to as "people's shrines" or . These lower-ranking shrines were initially subdivided by the proclamation of the fourteenth day of the fifth month of 1871 into four main ranks, "Metropolitan", "Clan" or "Domain", "Prefectural", and "District" shrines. By far the largest number of shrines fell below the rank of District shrine. Their status was clarified by the of the fourth day of the seventh month of 1871, in accordance with which "Village shrines" ranked below their respective "District shrines", while the smaller local shrines or
Hokora ranked beneath the "Village shrines". Here is a non-exhaustive list of shrines under each categorization. This list only includes ones now listed as
Beppyo shrines unless otherwise specified.
Metropolitan and Prefectural Shrines "Metropolitan shrines" were known as . "Prefectural shrines" were known as . At a later date, the "Prefectural shrines" were classed together with the "Metropolitan shrines" as "Metropolitan and Prefectural Shrines" or .
Clan or Domain shrines "Clan shrines" or "Domain shrines" were known as . Due to the
abolition of the han system, no shrines were ever placed in this category.
District shrine "District shrines" were known as .
Village shrines "Village shrines" were known as and ranked below their respective "District shrines", in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871.
Hokora or Ungraded shrines Small local shrines known as are ranked beneath the village shrines, in accordance with the District Shrine Law of 4 July 1871. At a later date, shrines beneath the rank of "Village shrines" were classed as "Ungraded shrines" or . ==Statistics==