Ogata, Antique Japanese Bone Support

This very beautiful antique stone was once part of a traditional Japanese grinding mill. Here rice and grain were originally ground together. This specific stone was used as support for a massive lever that was connected to a grinding stone. The shape is very recognizable, which also formed the original name. Ōgata (凹型) is Japanese for concave shape. Furthermore, the shape of the stone is clearly recognizable in the first character.

These types of antique stones often find a new life in the Japanese garden. They are usually buried with the two protruding parts facing upwards. The reuse of materials in the Japanese garden is a common phenomenon that perfectly aligns with the philosophical concept of Wabi-Sabi.