As the preceding early-stage shrine rankings, there were Jingikan choku shihai-sha (shrines under direct control of Jingikan [Department of Divinities]) (神祇官直支配社) Taihoheisha [great-scale shrines dedicated heihaku, paper or silk cuttings or red and white cloth are presented to the gods), Chuhoheisha [medium-scale shrines dedicated heihaku] and Shohoheisha [small-scale shrines dedicated heihaku]), and Chokusai-sha (shrines whose rituals are attended by an imperial envoy) (Taisaisha [great-scale chokusai-sha shrines], Chusaisha [medium-scale chokusai-sha shrines] and Shosaisha [small-scale chokusai-sha shrines]).
なお、これ以前の初期段階の社格として神祇官直支配社（大奉幣社・中奉幣社・小奉幣社）や勅祭社（大祭社・中祭社・小祭社）があった。