also: ばんどころ
guardhouse; watchhouse
Historical term for a guard post or checkpoint, especially in the Edo period. Not used for modern police boxes.
In the Edo period, guardhouses were placed along the highways.
Travelers had their travel permits checked at the guardhouse.
police box; kōban
Standard kanji form for the reading ばんしょ.
Rare reading; the kanji form is the same but pronounced ばんどころ.
Compound of 番 (ban, 'watch, guard') and 所 (sho, 'place'). The reading ばんどころ is a rare kun-yomi variant.