Shimozato-Aoyama Stele Production Site

The Shimozato-Aoyama Stele Production Sites in Ogawa, Saitama, Japan, are important archaeological locations that reveal insights into the production of itabi, a form of stone pagoda. These sites, operative from the 13th to the 16th centuries, include remnants of stone quarrying and production facilities primarily using chlorite schist, known for its ease of processing. The itabi produced here served as religious monuments, often dedicated by samurai for commemorative or votive purposes. The discovery of unfinished itabi at the site suggests these locations functioned as both quarries and production workshops. The significance of this site lies in its contribution to understanding regional religious practices and stone craftsmanship during Japan's Late Post-Classical Period.