Stepping stones, Tobi-ishi (飛石) in Japanese, are an essential element of the traditional Japanese garden. In contrast to regular garden paths, walking on stepping stones requires more concentration. This has a positive influence on the way in which people experience the garden. Additionally, people cannot walk side by side on a path of stepping stones, eliminating potential distractions. In a tea garden, this also makes sure that people do not arrive at the exact same time at the tea house before the start of the tea ceremony.

Stepping stone paths were introduced by tea master Sen no Rikyū, a very famous historical figure. The original idea behind stepping stones was to keep the Zōri, traditional Japanese sandals, clean and dry when walking through the garden.

Kutsunugi-ishi (沓脱石) are wide Japanese stepping stones used to step up from the garden onto a veranda for example. In ancient Japan, they were primarily placed in tea gardens so visitors could enter the tea house from the garden. Before entering Japanese buildings, especially traditional tea houses, it is an important custom to remove ones shoes. This can be done while standing on the Kutsunugi-ishi, which forms the origin of the name. Loosely translated Kutsunugi-ishi means: Rock on which shoes are taken off.

Specifications
- Depth = 38.58 inch
- Width = 37.40 inch
- Height = 6.30 inch

- Origin: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan
- Material: Makkuro Stone (真黒石)