石いし櫃びつ

also: せきひつ

い

し

び

つ

Meanings

noun

stone burial chest; stone funerary urn

Refers to a box-shaped stone container used in ancient Japanese burials, often for cremated remains or grave goods. Primarily encountered in archaeological or historical contexts.

古こ墳ふんから石いし櫃びつが発はっ掘くつされた。
A stone burial chest was excavated from the ancient tomb.
この石いし櫃びつには骨こつ壺つぼが納おさめられていた。
A cinerary urn was placed inside this stone chest.

Written forms

石櫃Usage100%
- いしびつ
  Standard kanji form; the reading いしびつ is more common than せきひつ.
- せきひつ
  Alternate on'yomi reading; less common and may appear in historical or archaeological contexts.
せきひつ

Kanji

石stone
櫃chest, coffer, tub

Similar words

骨こつ壺つぼ
骨壺 is a general term for a cinerary urn, while 石櫃 specifically refers to a stone container used in ancient burials, often box-shaped and larger.
石せっ棺かん
石棺 is a stone coffin for a body, whereas 石櫃 is a stone chest for ashes or grave goods, not necessarily a full-body coffin.

Etymology

Compound of 石 (stone) and 櫃 (chest, box). The reading いしびつ is a kun'yomi compound; せきひつ is the on'yomi reading. The term is used in archaeological contexts for stone burial containers.