町石卒塔婆ちょうせきそとば

noun

stupa-shaped stone distance markers along temple approaches

Historical term for stone markers placed at intervals of one chō (about 109 meters) along the approach to a temple, shaped like a stupa (卒塔婆). Rare in modern everyday language; encountered mainly in historical or architectural contexts.

• 高こう野や山さんの参さん道どうには町ちょう石せき卒そ塔と婆ばが並ならんでいる。

  Along the approach to Mount Kōya, there are rows of stupa-shaped stone distance markers.