Hirukawa Tobi-ishi, Japanese Stone

Stepping stones, Tobi-ishi (飛石) in Japanese, are an indispensable element of the traditional Japanese garden. Unlike a garden path, walking on stepping stones requires more concentration. This has a positive influence on how one experiences and absorbs the garden. In addition, stepping stones ensure that people cannot walk side by side, making them less distracted. In a tea garden, this also ensures that not everyone arrives at the teahouse at the same time for the start of the tea ceremony.

The stepping-stone path was introduced by Sen no Rikyū, a very famous historical figure considered to be the founder of the tea ceremony. The original idea behind the use of stepping stones was to keep Zōri, traditional Japanese sandals, clean and dry while walking through the garden.

This stepping stone can be used very nicely as the beginning, end, or at a junction of a path. Additionally, it can also serve perfectly as a Mae-ishi, the stepping stone for the Chōzubachi in a traditional Tsukubai arrangement.

Hirukawa is an authentic Japanese granite originating from the village of Hirukawa, which has been part of the city of Nakatsugawa in Gifu prefecture since 2005. Hirukawa granite is very often used in Japanese gardens for elements such as stone lanterns, Chōzubachi, and bridges. But the granite variety is also particularly suitable as a decorative stone.