Three schools of thought have influenced Japanese gardens. The second influential philosophy is Taoism. Taoism is a folk religion that originated in ancient China. The idea of the Immortals, which was incorporated into Taoism, along with ink painting, had a great influence on Japanese gardens. According to Taoist beliefs, immortals exist on Mount Horai, which is located beyond the sea, and they are believed to be making elixirs, or medicines of immortality. It is said that even Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, ordered his people to go in search of the elixir in the hope of immortality.
In the layout configuration of the Japanese garden, there will be a Horai Ishigumi, which is inspired by Mount Horai. Also, a boat stone is placed to symbolize the crossing of the sea to Mount Horai in search of the elixir of immortality and treasures of gold and silver. It is likely that the wish for immortality was expressed by depicting the world of the belief in the immortal gods in the garden campus.
