also: むねふだ
noun
ridgepole plaque; building dedication board
A wooden plaque attached to the ridgepole of a building during construction, recording the donor, builder, date, and purpose. A traditional architectural custom.
古い神社の改修工事で、棟札が見つかった。
During the renovation of an old shrine, a ridgepole plaque was found.
棟札には建立の年月日と施主の名が記されていた。
The ridgepole plaque recorded the date of construction and the donor's name.
Compound of 棟 (muna/mune, 'ridge of a roof') and 札 (fuda, 'tag, plaque'). The reading むなふだ reflects the older combining form of 棟.