Stone Structures and Beliefs

Many stone structures built from the medieval to early modern periods remain throughout the city. Stone structures found along old roadsides and within the precincts of shrines and temples are deeply connected to the lives and beliefs of the local people. Representative stone structures seen in the city include the following.

Itabi (Stone Memorial Tablets)

These are memorial towers created from the Kamakura period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period, erected throughout Japan to pray for the repose of the deceased and the peace of future generations. Many are made from green schist native to the Chichibu region, and they were most commonly produced in the Kanto area. They can be considered representative stone structures of the medieval period.

Koshin Tower

A stone tower created to commemorate the continuation of the Koshin-ko (Koshin faith group). It typically features carvings on the surface such as Shomen Kongō, two birds, three monkeys, and the sun and moon. The origins of Koshin faith date back to the Heian period, but it spread widely in rural society during the Edo period, leading to a boom in tower construction.

Jizo Bosatsu Stone Tower

The stone tower most actively built as popular faith during the Edo period is the Jizo Bosatsu Tower. It typically depicts a monk holding a jewel (a precious orb believed to grant wishes) in the left hand and a shakujo (a staff carried by monks) in the right hand, and it can be said to represent stone monuments of the early modern period.

Bato Kannon Tower

In rural villages during the Edo period, horses were an important labor force, and stone towers were erected to memorialize horses that died from illness or accidents and to pray for the safety of travelers on the roads. These towers were actively built from the late Edo period through the Taisho period.

Number of Stone Monuments by Period

Period	Itabi (Stone Memorial Tablets)	Koshin Tower	Jizo Bosatsu Stone Tower	Bato Kannon Tower
From 1280	3
From 1300	25
From 1350	50
From 1400	37
From 1450	20
From 1500	5
From 1550
From 1600
From 1650		9	4
From 1700		13	10
From 1750		4	6
From 1800		4	5	3
From 1850		1	3	15
From 1900		1		20
From 1950		1		2
Unknown	118	7	12	5

Total: Itabi 258, Koshinto 40, Jizo Bosatsu Tower 40, Bato Kannon Tower 45