Itabi Tablets - Stone Memorials from the Medieval Age

Itabi are Buddhist stone memorials that were popular along with Five Element pagodas and hokyointo pagodas during the medieval age (13th-16th centuries), but their production rapidly waned thereafter. They have been found throughout the Japanese archipelago, from Hokkaido to Kyushu islands, and are concentrated in the Kanto region (Tokyo and neighboring prefectures), Saitama prefecture in particular.

Itabi from Kanto are made of chrolite schist and are in the shape of a narrow tablet with a triangular top with two horizontal grooves below. Many are engraved with the sanskrit characters symbolizing Amitabha Buddha or Amitabha triad and the date, but in some cases they feature engraved images of deities, or characters such as "Namu Amida-butsu" (I put my faith in Amitabha Buddha) and "Namu Myo Ho Renge-kyo" (Adoration of the Lotus Sutra). As such, they are important materials for the study of medieval history and society.

Itabi were erected by local rulers and priests during the Kamakura period (1192-1333), but in the Nanbokucho (1333-1392) and Muromachi (1392-1573) periods they also became popular among commoners. Although itabi were produced all over Japan during the medieval age, their origin and how they became outmoded have been argued by scholars for many years without reaching a conclusion.

The Tokyo National Museum houses 175 itabi tablets from the Kanto region and three from Miyagi prefecture. This display includes 43 itabi and 2 stands from the collection.