AHachiman shrine (八幡神社,Hachiman Jinja, alsoHachimangū (八幡宮)) is aShinto shrine dedicated to thekamiHachiman.[1] It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated toInari Ōkami (seeInari shrine).[1] There are about 44,000 Hachiman shrines.
Originally the name 八幡 was readYawata orYahata, a reading still used in some cases. Many towns and cities incorporating the namesHachiman,Yawata orYahata grew around these shrines.
The following four shrines are often grouped into groups of three, either as Usa-Iwashimizu-Hakozaki or Usa-Iwashimizu-Tsurugaoka, and both of these groupings are known as the Three Major Hachiman Shrines of Japan (三大八幡宮).
