national shrine of major grade
Historical term for a high-ranking shrine under the pre-war shrine ranking system (近代社格制度). The rank was directly under 官幣社 (kanpeisha) and above 国幣大社 (kokuhei taisha).
Many national shrines of major grade were designated in the Meiji period.
官幣大社は、戦前の神社の格式の一つです。
Kanpei taisha is one of the pre-war shrine ranks.