Location Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation
Nonoebonkoji Site Artifacts: Wooden Grave Tablet and Board Monument
- Display status
- Partial display
- Period
- End of Heian Period to Early Kamakura Period (end of 11th century to 12th century)
- Form/Type
- Archaeological material
- Location
- Nonoe-machi (Suzu City)
The Nonoebonkoji Site comprises the remains of a village dating from the Heian period to the Kamakura period, built on flat land near the coast of Iida Bay in Suzu City. It appears that there was a wetland at the eastern end of the site, and the wooden grave tablet and board monument were discovered in this area.
Both a wooden grave tablet and its pole were discovered. The rectangular-shaped pole (photo center) measures 1.9 m long, and the tablet nailed to the pole (photo left) measures 0.7 m long. The tablet has a pattern engraved in it, with the Sanskrit character “Ban” representing Vajradhatu Dainichi Nyorai in the center of the upper half. Additionally, in the lower half of the tablet, there is a section where a prayer appears to have been written in sumi ink.
The wooden board monument (photo right) is 1.93 m long, and the head, tablet and pole are made from a single board. There is a possibility that a Sanskrit character or prayer was written on the face of the monument, however the ink has not been confirmed.
These items prove the existence of the wooden grave tablet and monument depicted in the Gaki Soshi scroll (late Heian period), and are important for considering the grave system and the beginning of grave markers at the time. As such, it was designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture in 2014.
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Opened in 1998 as an open facility for the excavation and organization of excavated artifacts and the publication of reports on buried cultural properties (archaeological sites) that convey the history and culture of Ishikawa prefecture, as well as to hold exhibitions and lectures that make use of the results. The exhibition rooms comprise sections organized by theme and era, where you can see and touch precious earthenware and stone tools discovered from archaeological sites throughout the prefecture. In 2001, they also opened the Ancient Experience Area, where you can enjoy learning about the lives and techniques of ancient people. Both adults and children can learn about local history in an accessible and easy manner, while deepening their interest and understanding of cultural properties.
18-1 Nakatomachi, Kanazawa, 920-1336 Google Maps
TEL 076-229-4477 E-mail daihyou@ishikawa-maibun.or.jp
