Sessha (摂社, auxiliary shrine) and massha (末社, undershrine), also called eda-miya (枝宮, branch shrines)[1] (collectively known as setsumatsusha (摂末社)[2][note 1]) are small or miniature shrines entrusted to the care of a larger shrine, generally due to some deep connection with the enshrined kami.[3]
The two terms used to have legally different meanings, but are today synonyms. Setsumatsusha can lie either inside (境内摂末社, keidai setsumatsusha) or outside (境外摂末社, keigai setsumassha) the main shrine's premises. Setsumatsusha are usually 1x1 ken in size. They can however be as small as beehives or relatively large and have 1x2, 1x3 or even, in one case, 1x7 bays.[4]
- ^ Iwanami Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version.
- ^ Mure, Jin. "Sessha, massha" (in Japanese). Shokagukan. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
- ^ "Sessha – Massha" (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ^ "JAANUS". aisf.or.jp. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
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