Garden Stepping Stones - by East of Eden.
Welcome to our stepping stones article.
Turf was not used in ancient Japanese
gardens , although of late it has
been introduced in imitation of foreign
gardens , and with a view to economise
labour in garden making .In an orthodox
garden the plain open portions are
spread with sand raked in patterns
, or as is still more common , a firm
beaten earth , well weeded and swept
, is retained .
This
is kept slightly damp at all times
, to present a cool and fresh look
.-Because the Japanese wore wooden
clogs, this would invariably cut
the path to pieces , hence the introduction
of "Stepping Stones" or
Tsutai - ishi .Another name apllied
to them is Tobi - ishi , meaning
" Flying Stones , " because
of the resemblance to the formation
of birds in flight .Terms such as
" Sea - Gull Style " and
" Wild Goose Style " are
terms used to describe such arrangements
.These irregular flat stepping stones are
referred to as" Shiki - Shama
, " or Scatterd Islands , in
reference to the islands of Japan.
|
