shrine for war dead spirits
A Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of those who died in war. Historically, many were established after the Meiji period; some later became Yasukuni-style shrines.
The Shōkonsha was built to enshrine the spirits of the war dead.
From 招魂 (shōkon, 'inviting the spirits of the dead') + 社 (sha, 'shrine'). The term was used for shrines established to honor fallen soldiers, especially after the Meiji Restoration.