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For me at least, the more moss and stone a garden contains, the more fascinating it becomes, and even better if it boasts a tome ishi (æ­¢çŸ³) or two; a stone with rope wrapped round it that, whilst perfectly fitting its surroundings, is also functional, meaning ‘stop’ or ‘no entry’. The only trouble is that as it’s not a universally known symbol — and even when taking the picture above several passing couples voiced aloud their wonder about what it was — such stones are often saddled with a sign, detracting somewhat from their simpleness.