A garden, Kyoto. Photo : JBM

Once again it is the essential element in the garden, stone, that leads the strolling or meditative visitor's steps.

The stones are arranged to direct the view, to prompt the visitor to halt, even to slow down or speed up.

In a Japanese garden, a path follows an irregular, winding route, leading the visitor to discover wide-open vistas and the most intimate corners...

	Heian Jingu temple garden, Kyoto Photo : Claude Gagné

There are hundreds of types of paths, in two major styles.

The shiki-ishi type, which uses stones cut into geometric shapes, as cobblestones.

And the tobi-ishi ("jumping stones") type, in which natural stones are arranged on the ground.

A tea garden, Hiroshima. Photo : Claude Gagné

Placing such uneven stepping stones close together slows the visitor's pace.

In a tea garden, they lead one to the purification basin or tsukubai, encouraging the state of meditation appropriate for the ceremony to come.

They may also be set farther apart, to encourage the visitor to walk more quickly.

Open Windows on Japanese Gardens 1. Opening a window onto a universe 2. A very famous Zen garden 3. Step by step on stepping stones 4. Endless maintenance 5. Key to the project: the choice of stone 6. The birth of a "Japanese" garden in Montréal 7. Wanted: Hardy species 8. The three religions of Japan 9. Three gardens, three relationships between man and Nature 10. Shakkei or borrowed scenery 11. Living symbols 12. 3, 5, 7 13. Of appearance and essence 14. Precious, colourful carp 15. Mineral strength 16. Changing scale 17. The spirit of stone 18. Islands of the Immortals 19. Plants and time 20. Discreet but essential ground covers 21. Shrubs and the art of plant sculpture 22. Trees, venerable above all 23. Water, a moving mirror of life 24. A pond and its fish 25. Islands and bridges 26.Flowing, shimmering water 27. Listen to your Heart 28. Some important dates

Next