Small Red and Gold Painted Wooden Slats

[Anthony T]

Hello,
I was at a shop recently and there was a small box of wooden slats maybe 4" long and 1/2" wide, painted/lacquered red with gold kanji. The man said he thinks they hold soldiers names and where they fell in battle. I really do not collect Japanese items and did not know what to make of them. Is there such a thing and is there any value in them if so? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Anthony T]

Wow, 50 people and no replies? I went by the shop after work tonight and picked up 2 of them. He had about 15. Here are some pics. Any help would be appreciated.

[Jareth]

No pictures is the reason plus vague description. No idea at all what you were describing

[Bob Coleman]

They are possibly from a family alter with the Buddist deceased name os family members along with fragments if ash and bone. Not the thing I would want in a collection. Pictures will definitely help.

[Nick Komiya]

Japanese spirit tablets are normally black, so it may not even be Japanese and almost certainly not military. Kanji means Chinese characters, so that might be more the case here.

[imperialjapan]

Wow, no pictures so no replies. Seems so obvious...

[Anthony T]

Sorry----I did not have pics when I first posted the thread. I then tried to post from the road and saw my AM had expired. Russ was kind enough to offer to post for me. I sent the pics to him. Thanks again for any insight on these.

[RussellM]

Posting pics for Anthony.

Regards

Russ

[Nick Komiya]

Just as I had suspected, those are Chinese spirit tablets. One dated 1882 and the other 1889.

[Anthony T]

what exactly is a spirit tablet? the owner bought these with a bunch of japanese stuff.

[Nick Komiya]

Find out yourself by Googling it, but it was already explained by Bob

[Anthony T]

Thank you.