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.
The practice of building sessha and massha shrines within a jinja predates written history. The earliest setsumatsusha usually had some strong connection to the history of the area or the family of the enshrined kami.
Being true shrines, setsumatsusha have most features other types of shrines have, including doors and often stairs. However, the Misedana-zukuri (見世棚造 or 店棚造 showcase style) is a style normally used only in sessha and massha.
It owes its name to the fact that, unlike other shrine styles, it
doesn't feature a stairway at its entrance, and the veranda is
completely flat.[4] Miniature stairways can however be present.
1 The term setsumatsusha is the combination of the two terms sessha and massha.
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