An authentic sekimori-ishi, handmade in Izumo, Japan. Each piece is a natural river stone from the Hii River, chosen for its roundness and tied by hand with the traditional knot used only for sekimori-ishi. Created by Ne|Wa, the garden-art brand of Takeda Landscaping Co., Ltd. (founded 1984).
*The photo shows a sample. The color and shape of each stone differ.
Sekimori-ishi
In a Japanese garden, a sekimori-ishi is placed to mean “no entry beyond this point” — literally, guarding the barrier. It conveys this without spoiling the scenery: a moment in the Japanese garden that reveals thoughtful hospitality and spirit. The sekimori-ishi also signifies kekkai, a sacred boundary, and serves as a charm that keeps evil from entering. Craftsmen carefully make each one by tying a small garden stone with a special knot used only for sekimori-ishi.
Each stone is hand-selected for its roundness and fine shape from the river stones of the Hii River, which flows through Izumo, Shimane, and is famed in Japanese mythology as the true form of the great serpent Yamata no Orochi. Nature has spent an unimaginable length of time shaping their perfect roundness, and the craftsman’s knot turns each into an auspicious boundary. It offers three pleasures in one: creating a lucky boundary charm, decorating your interior, and enjoying Japanese culture.
◆The stone’s surface retains the weathering of many years.
◆Sekimori-ishi are traditionally tied with natural palm-fiber (shuro) rope dyed with sumi ink, but because the ink runs when wet, this product uses a vinyl-based shuro rope.
◆The rope is braided, but may come undone if pulled with force.
◆If out of stock, delivery may take about three months.
◆For customers outside Japan: packing and international shipping are charged separately, and we will send you the details and a quote by email. Please contact us using the contact form below (or email rakutei@takezofarm.co.jp).
◆Before ordering, please be sure to read the notes on purchasing Toooro products.
