noun
highest-ranking provincial shrine
Historical term for the most important Shinto shrine in a province under the old ranking system. Often appears in place names and shrine names.
尾張国では、真清田神社が一宮とされた。
In Owari Province, Masumida Shrine was designated as the ichinomiya.
The ichinomiya system was established in the medieval period.
noun
first-born imperial prince
Archaic term for the eldest son of an emperor. The cross-reference 一の御子 is a related older form.
See also: 一の御子
古典では、一宮が皇位継承の最有力候補であった。
In classical texts, the first-born imperial prince was the leading candidate for succession.