Translation guide
A wooden tablet placed at a grave in Japanese Buddhist tradition, typically bearing the posthumous name of the deceased. The most common term is 卒塔婆 (sotoba), but other terms exist for specific contexts.
The most common type of wooden tablet placed at graves, especially in Buddhist cemeteries, inscribed with a posthumous name and often replaced during memorial services.
The standard term for a wooden grave tablet. It is a long, narrow wooden board placed behind the gravestone, inscribed with the posthumous Buddhist name (戒名, kaimyō) and a sutra passage. Often replaced during memorial services.
A wooden tablet used in certain Buddhist ceremonies or placed temporarily, sometimes with a different shape or purpose.
Wooden grave tablets (卒塔婆) are primarily associated with Japanese Buddhist funerary practices. They are not used in Shinto or Christian cemeteries in Japan. The tablet is usually made of unfinished wood and is replaced during memorial services such as the first anniversary of death.
A 卒塔婆 is not the main gravestone (墓石, hakaishi). It is a supplementary wooden board placed behind or beside the stone monument. Do not confuse it with the stone grave marker.
お墓の後ろに卒塔婆が立ててあります。
There is a wooden grave tablet standing behind the grave.
新しい卒塔婆を供えました。
We offered a new wooden grave tablet.
An alternative reading of the same kanji 卒塔婆, used in some Buddhist contexts. Less common in everyday speech but understood.
塔婆に戒名を書きます。
Write the posthumous name on the wooden tablet.
Literally 'board stupa', a flat wooden tablet used in some Buddhist sects. Similar to 卒塔婆 but may refer to a broader category.
板塔婆を墓前に立てる習慣があります。
There is a custom of placing wooden tablets in front of graves.