Ganban were first named as such, by analogy with the ceramic
doban, in 1896, after discovered an example at
Kamegaoka Site (initially it was labelled 岩盤).
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==