noun
Shinmei shrine; shrine dedicated to Amaterasu
A type of Shinto shrine, especially those established after the Heian period, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Often found in place names.
この地域には古い神明社がいくつか残っている。
Several old Shinmei shrines remain in this area.
神明社は天照大神を祀っている。
Shinmei shrines enshrine Amaterasu Ōmikami.
The sun goddess enshrined in Shinmei shrines.
神明 (Shinmei, referring to Amaterasu) + 社 (shrine). The term became common after the Heian period for shrines dedicated to Amaterasu.