A is a Shinto shrine in which Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543âÂÂ1616), the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, is enshrined. Tà Âshà Â-gà «s are found throughout Japan.
The most well-known Tà Âshà Â-gà « is the Nikkà  Tà Âshà Â-gà « located in Nikkà Â, Tochigi Prefecture. It is one of Japan's most popular destinations for tourists and is part of "Shrines and Temples of Nikkà Â" World Heritage Site.
Ueno Tà Âshà Â-gà « at Ueno Park in Tokyo is also widely known. The Kunà Âzan Tà Âshà Â-gà « is in Shizuoka Prefecture and rivals Nikkà Â's for decorative splendor. Another one is the Nagoya Tà Âshà Â-gà «, constructed in 1619. A Tà Âshà Â-gà « can also be found at Miyanochà Â, in Sendai.
During the Edo period these shrines reached 500 in number, but after the Meiji Restoration many were abandoned, and others united with shrines in the area. Presently, it is estimated that there are about 130 Tà Âshà Â-gà «. The National Tà Âshà Â-gà « Association lists a total of 48 shrines.
Ieyasu was deified with the name , meaning "Great Gongen, Light of the East" (a gongen is a Buddha who has appeared on Earth in the form of a kami to save sentient beings), and this is what gives Tà Âshà Â-gà « shrines their name.