Found sea stone woven with hand-crafted Harakeke (Phormium tenax) cordage in the style of a Sekimori ishi (Japanese boundary-guard stone). Stone measures approximately 9x10cm.
In legend, sekimori ishi are linked to the great tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591). The story, as recorded in a renowned tea tome called the “Nanporoku,” is that Rikyu once invited a famous Zen priest to call. But before the priest arrived, Rikyu placed a little pot in front of the door, wordlessly and playfully challenging his visitor to find a way in without crossing this symbolic barrier.
The convention then developed in tea circles of marking boundaries with a tied-up stone (instead of the pot). Since ancient times, Japanese people have used rope to mark off sacred space and designate things as divine. So now the two together have become legend and a wonderful art-form. Sekimori ishi (or Tomeishi – stop stone) are traditionally used in Japanese gardens, particularly those with tea houses, to guide visitors along a prescribed route.
Woven sea stones can be used as way-markers, meditation focal points, memorial stones, paperweights, as a décor piece or anything else that takes your fancy.
