a deity worshipped on mountain heights, and often represented as seated in a cave; this is also placed on the side of a hill. (See picture on page opposite.)
“Moss-grown Stone (Seitai-seki).—Near the base of a hill, but only employed when water is represented beneath. Of the above names, the first five refer to position, and are self-explanatory; the remainder mostly allude to certain effects in mountain scenery which the stones are supposed to typify.”
The valley stones have also their list, nearly as important. As a recital of their names and qualities explains more than a ream of writing would, I again quote:—
“Stones of the Two Gods (Nijin-seki or Ni-O-seki).—A pair of similar ‘Standing Stones’ intended to represent the guardian deities of the site, and arranged in the flat portion of a garden, near the entrance, just as two statues of Buddhist Devas are placed in the entrance gates of temples. Formerly the ceremony of erecting these stones in position constituted a sort of dedication of the garden. They were washed perfectly clean, and rice and wine were placed before them.
“Stones of the Three Gods (Sanjin-seki).—Three vertical rocks sometimes used in combination instead of the above.
