In accordance with 'Rules on shrine ranks and priests of official shrines or lower' (edict of Daijokan [The Grand Council of State], May 14, 1871), the ranks of 'kankoku heisha,' 'fuhanken-sha' (prefectural shrines other than those in Kyoto and Osaka), and 'gosha' (municipal shrines) were specified, with Ise-jingu Shrine at the top, the head of the 'kankoku heisha' was selected from among the peerage and warrior class, the position of head of the 'kokuheisha' (shrines under the control of provincial governors) was filled by the secretary fu-han-ken (prefectures and domains), and all hereditary Shinto priests were 'newly appointed.'
「官社以下定額及神官職員規則等」（明治4年5月14日太政官布告）により、伊勢神宮を頂点として官国幣社、府藩県社、郷社の位階を定め、官国幣社長官は華族・士族から選任、国幣社長官は府藩県の参事の兼任とし、世襲神職のすべてを「改補新任」することとした。