Ganban

Ganban were first named as such, by analogy with the ceramic doban, in 1896, after {{ill|Satō Denzō|ja|佐藤伝蔵 (地質学者)}} discovered an example at Kamegaoka Site (initially it was labelled 岩盤).{{cite journal |script-title=ja:岩版•土版の身体表現について |trans-title=The study of the representation of the human body in tablets and parallels with clay figurines |language=ja |author-last=Saitō |author-first=Kazuko |journal=Anthropological Science |issn=1344-3992 |year=2000 |volume=108 |number=2 |pages=61–79 |doi=10.1537/asj1998.108.61}}{{rp|62}} 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.

Three ganban have been designated Important Cultural Properties:

• Ganban from Kitayoneoka Site, Gunma Prefecture (Gunma Prefectural Museum of History)
• Ganban from Tome, Miyagi Prefecture (Ishinomaki City Museum){{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/201/9831 |script-title=ja:岩版 |trans-title=Ganban |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=5 March 2025}}
• Ganban from Kosaka, Akita Prefecture (Keio University){{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/201/9956 |script-title=ja:岩版 |trans-title=Ganban |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=5 March 2025}}

{{Commons category}}

• List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)
• Jōmon period sites
• Gangū
• Ganban'yoku

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Category:Japanese artefact types

Category:Jōmon period

Category:Stone sculptures in Japan