noun
shrine enshrining several gods
A shrine that collectively enshrines multiple deities, often from a region or group. The term is also used in proper names of specific shrines.
この地域の総社には、多くの神様が祀られている。
Many gods are enshrined at the sōja shrine of this region.
総社は、周辺の神社の神々を合祀していることが多い。
Sōja shrines often collectively enshrine the gods of surrounding shrines.
神社 is the general term for a Shinto shrine, while 総社 specifically refers to a shrine that enshrines multiple gods together, often as a central shrine for a region.
Composed of 総 (そう, 'all', 'general') and 社 (しゃ, 'shrine'), literally meaning 'general shrine' or 'shrine of all'. The reading そうじゃ is a standard on'yomi compound.