石いし敢がん当とう

noun

ishigantō; stone tablet warding off evil spirits

A stone tablet inscribed with 石敢当 or similar, placed at crossroads or on walls in southern Kyūshū and Okinawa to ward off evil spirits. Originated from a Chinese custom. The reading いしがんとう is common; せきかんとう is also possible but less frequent.

• 沖おき縄なわの路ろ地じで石いし敢がん当とうを見みつけた。

  I found an ishigantō in an alley in Okinawa.

• 石いし敢がん当とうは魔ま除よけとして置おかれている。

  Ishigantō are placed as talismans against evil spirits.