Daitokuji stone, 大徳寺の石

A lone sentry
Unyielding to the protest
Of a warm day's breeze

一人の歩哨
暖かい日の風邪で
抗議は屈服しない

I can't say I stayed and gazed at this for too long as I passed by this spot walking through Daitokuji. I do remember wondering, "What is that?" My curiosity was piqued by the simplicity that the scene produced. It wasn't until later that I realized that this stone is a fairly common stop sign in Japanese Gardens. Even without fully understanding its meaning I remember having a feeling that it meant just that, "Don't pass."

This was my first encounter with a stone wrapped in a rope setting on a pathway. I was very surprised at Negoro Tera that there were no stones blocking the paths into the karesansui.

I think, that if I were to take this photo again, I would do it from a lower angle. In this way I could capture more of the dimesion and impassible nature of the stone. Certainly were I to create a garden I would set at least one of these out for that simplifying effect. Though, there is a certain Indiana Jones' feel about it as well...."Don't pass....you don't know what your getting in to."




All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.