Seven kinds of different stones, different colors and textures, from the upper waters of the Kamo running in the heart of Kyoto have long been highly appreciated as garden stones as well as "suiseki" meaning ornamental stones put in a "tokonoma" alcove. In the Edo period, from the 17th to19th century, Kamo-nana-ishi had been regarded as the best garden stones because they were found in Kyoto, the capital of culture. Thus most stones were brought to Edo, present Tokyo. It is very difficult now to find these stones along the Kamo, so people have to get them from the remnants of the old gardens instead. The picture shows the dry landscape garden in the enclosure of Nijo-Castle in Kyoto. Kamo-nana-ishi stones of this garden ware dug up from the private garden of Suminokura Ryoi, a well-known wealthy merchant in Kyoto in the 16th-17th century.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
