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Shirakawa Kutsunugi-ishi, Japanese Stepping Stone
Item description - YO05010044
Shirakawa Kutsunugi-ishi, Japanese Stepping Stone - Stepping stones, Tobi-ishi (飛石) in Japanese, are an essential element of the traditional Japanese garden. In contrast to regular garden paths, walking on Stepping stones requires more concentration. This has a positive influence on the way in which people experience the garden. Additionally, people cannot walk side by side on a path of Stepping stones, eliminating potential distractions. In a tea garden, this also makes sure that people do not arrive at the exact same time at the tea house before the start of the tea ceremony.
Stepping stone paths were introduced by Sen no Rikyū, a very famous historical figure who is regarded as the founder of the tea ceremony. The original idea behind Stepping stones was to keep the Zōri, traditional Japanese sandals, clean and dry when walking through the garden.
Kutsunugi-ishi (沓脱石) are wide Japanese Stepping stones used to step up from the garden onto a veranda. In ancient Japan, they were often placed in tea gardens so visitors could enter the tea house by Stepping up from the garden. Before entering Japanese buildings, especially traditional houses, it is an important custom to remove ones shoes. This can be done while standing on the Kutsunugi-ishi, which in Japanese means: Rock on which shoes are taken off.
Shirakawa stone originates from the Shirakawa river in Kyoto prefecture. The river runs from the eastern hills of Kyoto, through the Geisha district of Gion and eventually ends up in the Kamo river. Shirakawa literally means White River in Japanese. This refers to the light-colored sand and stones found in the river.
Specifications • Origin: Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan • Material: Shirakawa stone (白川石)
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