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Paths are integral to any garden, they choose the route the visitor will take and their form can influence the visitor's perception of the garden. Cave (1996) suggests that the most important function of a path is to, direct the user's senses and mind . The Japanese use meandering paths, disappearing behind bushes, then reappearing later, to create the impression that the garden is larger than it is. Typically, stepping stones are used, they suggest an ancient, natural quality. As Eliovsen (1970) states, ( they have the same movement as walking and the best pathways suggest natural movement) . The use of stepping stones arose during the era of the Tea garden, Cave (1996) quotes the great Tea master Sen no Rikyu as saying that stepping stones should be aesthetic. Generally, stones should be placed just a few inches apart, the walker barely conscious of using them. However, where the garden designer wishes the visitor to be surprised by a set view, they may be set at alternating distances. This feature is employed to great effect on the eight-fold bridge at Koraku-en. The visitor is forced to look down at his feet until an abrupt change of direction makes them look up, where the designer has created a specific view.

When placing stones to create a path, the rules of stone placement in general can be applied. Stones are placed in groups of two, three, five or seven, to break up the regularity of the path. Where the Westerner sees zig-zags, the Japanese see them as interpretations of natural phenomena, Davidson (1982), a regular three stone zig-zag, known as the wild geese style imitating the bird in flight. A tighter pattern, more erratic, suggests the flight of the plover, and is named accordingly.Long rectangular stones are laid to be wide, providing interest. Where two long narrow stones are available, railway sleepers may be used, they are set as ( poem cards), reminiscent of the cards used to write the Haiku poems so often associated with gardens. Where a path divides, a large, path dividing stone is employed, often, a bush may be placed in front of it to emphasis the change of direction. A large stone may also be used to draw attention to an interesting feature, such as a partially obscured view or favourite plant. In larger, well-used gardens, regular, linear paths are used. These may be composed of bricks, arranged in patterns, crazy paving, flat stones, buried to show their edges or a mixture of several styles. Gravel paths are often used for the crunching sound made by walking on them, although they do need regular maintenance.

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