Ganban
Ganban, sometimes translated as "stone tablets", are a type of archaeological artefact known from Jōmon Japan. They are the counterparts in stone to the clay doban.
Overview
Ganban were first named as such, by analogy with the ceramic doban, in 1896, after discovered an example at Kamegaoka Site. Ganban take the form of a rectangular or oval tablet that, like gangū stone figurines, are typically carved from stone that is relatively soft and easy to work, such as tuff, mudstone, and sandstone. They are mostly known from Tōhoku, with few examples found west of the Kantō region. Like the clay doban, some ganban have representations of the human body. They are thought to have served some role in the rituals and beliefs of the time.Important Cultural Properties
Three ganban have been designated Important Cultural Properties:- Ganban from Kitayoneoka Site, Gunma Prefecture
- Ganban from Tome, Miyagi Prefecture
- Ganban from Kosaka, Akita Prefecture